The following is an excerpt from an open letter from CUPE 716 to Richmond’s school trustees presented to the board earlier this month.
CUPE 716 executive met and made the decision that in this budget brief, unlike past briefs we were not going to tell you what needs to be saved and where you can cut back, except to say that you need to save everything and you cannot cut back anywhere.
As an important stakeholder in this district, we are telling you that the death by a thousand cuts is having its desired effect. Further cuts are untenable. It is up to you to stop this.
The trustees of this district, and all districts, have made those cuts, deep cuts for the last 14 years, every year, and every year following those drastic cuts, the government has demanded more and more.
This latest move, asking trustees to find $54 million over the next two years has got to be the final straw, even for the more conservative amongst you.
Like some giant blob, from a bad science fiction movie, this government continues to swallow everything in its path and its appetite is insatiable.
The fact that it spews a portion of what it has ingested to private schools is intolerable.
The very fact that the government has trumpeted with pride the funds they gave to private education should give you all the indications you need to know that they will not ever favour public education.
Only you have the power to stop this, should you choose to exercise it. A massive uprising amongst trustees opposing the cuts would no doubt have a demonstrable affect on our government.
Therefore, CUPE 716 urges you, Richmond trustees, to engage with your fellow trustees across the province, and say no to the provincial government.
We note that many districts are now, as a result of this latest outrageous demand from government, writing similar letters.
We all know how those letters will be received, and we truly believe it is time for more direct action.
We see, especially through social media, thousands of comments from parents, staff and students opposing more cuts and telling their stories.
Please take a stand.
You are the only defence public education has.
You were elected to defend public education, not help destroy it. That’s why we voted for you, that was your platform.
We challenge you to do the right thing and we will be behind you all the way.
June Kaiser
President, CUPE 716
