KOOTENAY LAKE-The Board of Education for School District 8 (Kootenay Lake) held an extraordinary meeting Monday night to reconsider a savings plan to pay for the 3.5 percent wage adjustment for CUPE Local 748 education workers. The lack of a savings plan for the district was a major roadblock to the bargaining process.
“The Board adopted a plan that will allow bargaining to move forward,” said CUPE Local 748 President Michelle Bennett. “Our main objective is to make sure services students depend on are protected.”
CUPE Local 748 and School District 8 is one of nine remaining tables open across BC yet to reach a settlement. Bargaining will resume on Thursday, December 12th.
“Under the BC Governments’ own ‘cooperative gains mandate’ school districts cannot cut services to students,” added Bennett. “CUPE education work is essential to the functioning of our Kootenay Lake schools. We want a fair deal for our members, but also for students and parents.”
CUPE education workers include education assistants, clerical staff, trades, aboriginal workers, youth and family workers, custodians, and bus drivers.
