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FREDERICTON Heavy workloads are a serious problem in schools, a delegation representing school secretaries told Education Minister Elvy Robichaud at a meeting earlier today.

The delegation urged the minister to add more hours of work to allow time to do the job effectively.

Many secretaries have had their hours cut back while being asked to carry a heavier load, the delegation says, and the shortage of hours is causing increased stress on individuals.

“Our members are saying that they need more hours of work to guarantee that the work is done in schools,” says Sherry Wilkins, president of Local 2745 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

“Parents should be concerned when they call the school and are greeted by an answering machine,” she said. “Secretaries are being asked to take responsibility for 400-500 people in a building without being given the necessary hours of work.”

The facts and workplace concerns behind the call for more hours are cited in a brief prepared by CUPE Local 2745 that was handed to the minister this

afternoon.

Contacts:


Sherry Wilkins, 453-5215


Ginette Kervin, CUPE school board co-ordinator


684-5518

opeiu 491