Union members “waiting on word” as to what’s next for casual, part-time school support staff

Although the province will pay full-time support staff at Saskatchewan schools once the classrooms are shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty remains for those working part-time, or casual hours.

Scott Barrett, president of CUPE Local 8443 which represents the support staff members at Saskatoon Public Schools, told 650 CKOM that the classroom closures Friday raised questions about the future. Barrett said clarity is needed, with the growing uncertainty towards the spread of COVID-19.

“It still remains to be seen if staff will be working as well, (after classroom closures),” he said. “The ministry of education and Saskatoon Public Schools, and I imagine all the other school boards are in consultation right now to make a plan to see what the next steps are beyond Friday.”

Barrett said full-time employees will be paid, but that’s not where their concerns lie for their 1100 members and the approximately 300 members who aren’t full-time.

“There’s been no direction given on how they’ll be compensated, but I imagine that that is something that the federal government and employment insurance will have to address at some point. We’re just waiting on word as far as that.”

All updates for members, Barrett said, will be posted on their website.

The latest update was issued on Monday. The release stated that they have requested additional information from the Unemployed Workers Centre, and have reached out to Saskatoon Public Schools Human Resources department.

Moving forward, Barrett has a message for those roughly 300 members left in the dark.

“If you’re an EA, substitute, or you’re a casual employee and you’re concerned about whether or not you’ll be paid, you can get ahold of Minister Gord Wyant (and) request some information, and lobby him to make sure that everybody is paid.”

Schools will remain open to students in Saskatchewan until Friday. Classes are optional, and absenteeism will not be counted against a student’s final grade, the province announced Monday.