May 28, 2009

CMAW Local 2545 react to School District budget cuts

The Construction Maintenance & Allied Workers Union (CMAW L 2544) is dissatisfied with the Operating Budget that was released by the Quesnel Board of Education.

The budget cuts once again target the support staff and the teacher's union, while administrative staff remain untouched.

As part of the education funding announcement, the Minister of Education, Shirley Bond, advised that she is expecting all school districts in the province to cut spending on administration by 3% and redirect those funds to the classroom. This budget clearly does not reflect that expectation. This budget is also prepared by the same administration who have been mandated to make those cuts.

The Ministry's own spreadsheets show that the Quesnel district has one of the largest number of administrators to teachers ratio in the province, this is not acceptable.

CMAW requested, during the consultation process, that there be cuts to administrative spending, however the cuts appear to all be to clerical, custodial, youth care workers, transportation and teachers.

After attending last night's School Board Meeting, a delegation of CMAW & Quesnel District Teachers' Association members clearly stated our objection to the passing of the budget, however, all school trustees voted unanimously to accept the budget.

For more information, contact, Denice Bardua, President-Elect of the Construction, Maintenance & Allied Workers Union, Local 2545 at 991-5116 (office).