Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.
Toronto Local 4400 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has learned that trustees on the Programs and School Services Committee of the Toronto District School Board voted to support a recommendation to eliminate Black Cultural/African Heritage programs and International Languages Integrated Day programs at a closed-door meeting Monday night.
Im appalled that newly-elected trustees would support eliminating these important programs the community fought so hard for, says Terri Preston, CUPE 4400 VP, Instructors Unit. Here you have a Board that publicly promoted Black History Month while behind closed doors a committee of trustees voted to eliminate black cultural programs in our schools.
International Language programs offered to 7000 students in integrated day classes are also on the chopping block. Without international language programs, our schools will lose an invaluable link to the different neighbourhoods they serve.
CUPE 4400, representing 13,000 education workers at the Board, will mount a campaign to fight these cuts and join community groups in their struggle to preserve these programs.
The recommendation of the Programs and School Services Committee to cut these programs will be presented to the Board at their meeting next Wednesday, March 7th and well be there to fight it, says John Weatherup, CUPE 4400 president. Were calling on members of the public to contact local school board trustees and tell them to reject these destructive and irresponsible cuts.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Terri Preston, VP, Instructors Unit CUPE 4400
416-419-6357
John Weatherup, President CUPE 4400
416-597-3957