Announcements

Stand with the Teachers!

Dear CUPE members,

Last week, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) members voted in favour of job sanctions as their bargaining negotiations with the provincial government has stalled.

Bargaining negotiations between the STF and the Sask. Party government have been challenging, especially since the government continues to run a misleading billboard campaign aimed at turning the public against teachers.

Although the STF has not announced any formal job action, we have been hearing that employers are building a plan for STF duties just in case. We have also heard that CUPE members are being approached about doing additional before/after school and general lunch supervision. We have also heard from members that employers are discussing changing hours of work for CUPE members in order for them to cover STF duties.

Some examples of duties covered by STF members include: before/after school supervision (15 minutes before and after the bell), as well as general recess supervision. These are duties that fall under the scope of STF members. For any CUPE members that currently do lunch time supervision, this would not be considered additional duties.

Please follow these guidelines:

  • If you are approached by your employer asking you to volunteer to take on additional lunch supervision duties, we are asking that you decline.
  • If your employer has mentioned changing your hours of work, without proper consultation / notice, in order to cover for STF duties, please contact your union representative immediately. There are notice periods that need to be followed and may be other language in your collective agreement that must be followed.
  • If your employer does change your hours to cover STF duties, you must still work those hours, otherwise you may be disciplined. Please notify your union representative as soon as possible. The situation will be investigated, and we will attempt to resolve the matter, including the possibility of filing a grievance if necessary.

Additional duties that CUPE members take on will weaken the action teachers may take. Please stand in solidarity with our STF colleagues.

CUPE members have also been asking about the possibility of going on strike along with STF members. CUPE Education workers do not have provisions in their collective agreements that permits us to strike alongside STF members or refuse to cross picket lines. CUPE is in regular contact with the STF, and STF members understand that if there is a labour disruption, CUPE members will be expected to report to work across STF picket lines.

There are many other ways we can help our STF colleagues, including refusing additional duties, showing up to STF rallies in support and solidarity, and by emailing your MLA at: Tell Them Tuesday.

We are stronger when we are together.

In solidarity,

JUDY HENLEY      

President, CUPE Saskatchewan

OMAR MURRAY

Chair, CUPE Education Workers’ Steering Committee

Webinar

Dear CUPE members,

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is hosting an online discussion tonight about the notwithsanding clause, featuring CUPE comrade Laura Walton.

Many will remember the powerful remarks Laura provided to the CUPE Saskatchewan convention about the experience in Ontario last year when the conservative Doug Ford government attempted to override Charter rights – and the fight-back to defend our Charter rights: Workers United: CUPE’s Laura Walton energizes convention crowd

Please find below the Zoom registration link – and share with members to join tonight’s webinar!

Webinar – NOTWITHSTANDING: WHAT’S AT STAKE

Scott Moe said he will use the notwithstanding clause to out trans kids, suspend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and threaten the rights of every person in Saskatchewan.

Join the SFL in a discussion with Laura Walton and others about what the notwithstanding clause is, and why we need to fight back to defend the charter of rights.

What: Webinar – Notwithstanding: What’s at stake, featuring Laura Walton
When: Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. CST (SK) Time
Where: Zoom – Register at the link below:
Zoom Link

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Laura Walton is the President of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) which unites 55,000 CUPE education workers. In 2022, she successfully led the charge that forced Doug Ford government to repeal notwithstanding clause legislation that would have outlawed their charter right to strike.

In solidarity,

Judy Henley (she/her)
President, CUPE Saskatchewan

 

CUPE Education Support Staff Stand with the STF

Dear CUPE Member,
As you may have heard, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) is currently bargaining with the provincial government.

All signs are pointing to a challenging round of negotiations. The government came under fire this summer for a misleading billboard campaign aimed at turning the public against teachers.

Although the STF has not announced any formal job action, it looks like the employer is trying to build a plan for STF duties just in case. We have also heard from a few locals that our members have been approached about doing additional before/after school and general lunch supervision.

CUPE stands in solidarity with the members not to take on any additional duties that are currently done by teachers.

If you are approached by the employer asking you to take on additional duties, please contact your union representative immediately.

Duties including before/after school supervision (15 minutes before and after bell), as well as general recess supervision. These are duties that fall under the scope of STF members. General lunch supervision is voluntary for STF members. For any CUPE members that currently do lunch supervision, this would not be additional duties.

Additional duties that CUPE members take on will weaken the action teachers may take. Please stand in solidarity with our STF colleagues.

We are stronger when we stand together.

If you want to show your support for teachers, please consider participating in Tell Them Tuesdays.

In solidarity,

Judy Henley
President, CUPE Saskatchewan

Omar Murray
Chair, CUPE Education Workers Steering Committee

 

Notice of rally

Dear CUPE members,
Let’s join the all hands on deck rally for public health care on September 23, 2023, hosted by the Saskatchewan Health Coalition.

Our health care system is at a breaking point from years of Sask. Party  privatization and cuts. we need all hands on deck to protect and strengthen our public health system, to ensure the fundamental principles of the Canada health act are respected, and to put patients and needed investments in the frontlines of care first.

Together, let’s stand up for quality, accessible and equitable health care that for too long has suffered from the Sask. Party’s privatization, mismanagement and cuts.

What: Rally for Public health care, hosted by the Saskatchewan Health Coalition
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Noon (12 – 1pm)
Where: In front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative dr, Regina

CUPE members can RSVP here for the rally

Need a ride? Let us know

Please submit your transportation requests before September 6, 2023. Once transportation requests are submitted at the link above, we will coordinate and advise of potential bus or carpooling options that may be available.

In solidarity,

Judy Henley
President, CUPE Saskatchewan

Ratification!!!!

First of all a thank you to all who came and voted. The vote has concluded and we have Ratified. We will post the new collective agreement on the site once we have everything set and done with.