A new school year begins today across Saskatchewan, and CUPE-represented education support staff are welcoming new and returning students to their first day of classes.
“CUPE education workers are facing a challenging year ahead of us. With a 6.5 per cent increase in student enrollment and over $500 less per student to educate them, our education workers are going to have to find creative solutions to continue the level of care we are accustomed to delivering,” said Jackie Christianson, chair of the CUPE Education Workers’ Steering Committee. “Our government cut more than $54 million, and this will make it more difficult for us to continue to help with the first day jitters and make time at school a successful and safe experience. CUPE education workers are dedicated to supporting the learning of all Saskatchewan students throughout the school year, and we will continue to provide the best possible learning environments for our province’s future.”
CUPE represents almost 8,000 education workers across Saskatchewan in the pre-K-12 school system. From education assistants to library assistants and technicians, custodians to trades workers, school secretaries to school bus drivers, social workers to computer technicians, CUPE members support Saskatchewan students each and every school day.