2423 ensures smooth operation of School District

They’re a diverse bunch of workers that include bus drivers, custodians, noon hour supervisors, maintenance staff, computer technicians, special ed assistants, first nation support workers and secretaries. Let’s just say that if the Fraser-Cascade school district was a town, Local 2423 would be the city crew that ensures its smooth operation.

This particular crew of 100 full-time workers provides all of the services required to support close to a dozen schools and one school board office in an area that spans from Harrison Hot Springs to Boston Bar. They are an integral part of our school system, and while classmates and teachers might be the first to come to mind when we reminisce, our school district support workers are also a very memorable bunch.

Most of us can play our school days back in our minds like a scene out of a favourite movie. And, as adults, looking back we probably realize that there was a lot about school that we took for granted – like hopping on a school bus that was always on time or arriving in a warm classroom, no matter what the weather.

Yes, we were often the ungrateful students who would return to school following Christmas,spring, or summer break and not notice the window nobody-admitted-to-breaking had been replaced, or that the walls were freshly painted – although we might have missed the graffiti.

Admittedly, some might also still have a sore spot for the lunch hour supervisor who took your matches away, the secretary who noticed your mother’s infantile handwriting, or the custodian in the boy’s washroom you thought was your friend when he looked the other away – as you attempted to give your classmate the swirly he deserved – but quietly slipped away to inform the principal.

And while you might still miss your favourite 0-44-0 combination lock that was sawed off your locker during the holidays, it’s time to admit that you should have known nobody would have ever wanted to steal the four moldy sandwiches it helped conceal.

Indeed, looking back, we realize that school district support workers like our Local 2423 members, are an integral part of our school system. So, on behalf of the 6,000 members who make up CMAW, and who once attended grade school, we salute and thank you, especially for being a part of school-day memories.