CUPE Statement – School Funding 2017-2018

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SCHOOL DIVISION SECTOR UPDATE: 2017-2018 PROVINCIAL FUNDING
February 2, 2017

Yesterday’s school funding announcement by the Honourable Ian Wishart, Manitoba Minister of
Education and Training, will leave school divisions with some tough choices to make. The scant
funding increase for 2017-2018 is welcome but seems to contradict the Pallister government’s
commitment to maintain and improve public services.
The Minister announced that funding to public schools will increase by $13.1 million compared to
2016-2017 – a 1% increase.
We have concerns that this funding increase does not keep pace with economic growth and is less
than half of last year’s increase of $32.5 million or 2.55%. Inflation in Manitoba for non- food
costs was 1.9% last year, and economic growth in 2017 is expected to be 2.6%.
With a funding increase that fails to keep pace with rising costs, school divisions are faced with
making property tax rate adjustments and/or finding ways to cut costs. Whatever flows from today’s
provincial funding announcement, CUPE will continue to advocate for good jobs and for the quality
of education.
The province also announced that total funding for Level 2 and Level 3 Special Needs students will
be maintained at 2016-2017 levels and that funding applications are not required, with the
exception of certain Level 3 groups (emotional/behavioural and URIS). Schools will now receive
technology replacement (TEER) funding monthly, and will no longer be required to submit invoices.
Please share this update with members and contact your National Representative to discuss actions
in support of school funding.
We will be monitoring this and any further announcements on school funding closely, as they relate
to our bargaining tables and school divisions’ ability to provide the public education services
kids and families rely on.
Please stay in touch with any developments in your school division. In solidarity,
Kelly Moist
President, CUPE Manitoba

February is I LOVE TO READ month – CUPE Locals are encouraged to get involved!
jk/cope342

Today’s meeting with government

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Hi everyone, and Happy New Year!

As the Pallister government continues to target working people, we have been working hard to represent members’ interests and advocate for public services.

We are meeting and coordinating with other public sector unions and the MFL. The statement below was issued jointly, following today’s meeting with the Minister of Finance. This is just the beginning of what we are facing and we are counting on your active involvement to defend and improve our bargained contracts, maintain and improve public services for all, and keep our union strong and united.

I urge local presidents and additional local representatives to join me at the January 27th CUPE Manitoba All President’s Meeting at the Union Centre in Winnipeg, Room 2B/2C.

Please do not hesitate to share this message with other local members, and contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

In solidarity,

Kelly

Today, Manitoba’s largest public sector unions and the Manitoba Federation of Labour met with the Minister of Finance, at his request.
The meeting was the first of what we expect to be several face-to-face meetings. We are hopeful that future meetings will include the Premier and all of Manitoba’s public sector unions.

In the brief meeting, the Minister maintained the government’s focus on balancing the provincial budget and confirmed that, as reported in the media, they are considering wage freezes, reopening contracts and restructuring bargaining units, but did not provide any additional information.

We reminded the Minister of the Premier’s commitment to respect collective bargaining and protect and improve the public services that all families count on, while balancing the budget over a period of eight years.

Manitoba’s labour movement will continue to ask questions, seek clarification when needed, and always meet with the province in good faith.

Kevin Rebeck – Manitoba Federation of Labour
Kelly Moist – Canadian Union of Public Employees
Bob Moroz – Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals
Michelle Gawronsky – The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union
Norm Gould – The Manitoba Teachers’ Society
Jeff Traeger – United Food and Commercial Workers Union

 

Elections

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CUPE 4642 will be accepting Nominations for the positions of

President, Treasurer, one Clerical Steward, one Custodial Steward, Bus Driver Stewart, Warden and Trustees at our Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 meeting.

 Elections will be held at our February General Meeting.