Cuts Too Deep

For Immediate Release, January 18, 2018

Saskatoon – SEIU-West members and leaders were caught off guard by the announcement that the Chinook School Division is seeking alternate ways to manage student programming with fewer available resources. Of the $9.9 million funding cuts in the last provincial budget, Chinook School Division is still looking for $3.5 million in savings.

“This is another indicator that the government is failing the people of Saskatchewan,” said Janice Platzke, Treasurer of SEIU-West. “Austerity budgets do not have any vision for our students and the future of our province. The Chinook School Division has already exacted a savings of $6.4 million this school year; further resources cuts will obviously have a negative impact on both students and their families in the long run.”

SEIU-West is calling on the government of Saskatchewan to invest in public education bcause there is no innovation in austerity. The cuts in last year’s budget were far too deep and the impact will be felt in years to come. It appears there is no commitment to invest in K to 12 education, with a view to ensuring all students have a positive learning environment.

“The depth of the cuts being faced by staff in the classroom and within the schools is significant,” continued Platzke. “These drastic cuts have damaged the quality of education in the Division and have contributed to a deterioration of the services provided. Not just for the immediate future, but the impact will be felt for years to come.”

Education Minister Brownyn Eyre notes that the government has not directed School Divisions across the province to prepare for another round of cuts. However, she seems to miss the point of what is happening in Chinook School Division.

“Our members want to know that our future leaders sitting in the Chinook School Division classrooms are not being left behind due to fiscal mismanagement by adults who should know better,” added Platzke.

SEIU-West represents more than 13,000 working people in the province of Saskatchewan. They include members who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Purple works in our communities! Visit www.PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about the members of SEIU-West.

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For more information, contact:
Christine Miller, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 306-652-1011 ext. 8733

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