Education workers debut new videos and $1.4 million advertising campaign.
Striking education support workers are utilizing new video commercials in their fight for improved classroom resources. These ads, developed on behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are part of a larger $1.4 million initiative that the union has recently undertaken.
Currently, more than 4,000 education support staff members in the Edmonton region as well as Fort McMurray are involved in a strike, with an additional 2,000 employees voting to strike across Alberta this weekend. CUPE Alberta President, Rory Gill, highlights the relatable nature of the ads, focusing on the crucial issue of classroom support. One video portrays a chaotic classroom scenario that is calmed down by the presence of an Educational Assistant. The second video features young students discussing the essential resources they need for success, emphasizing the importance of their educational support persons.
The videos direct viewers to a website where they can draft a message for their MLA, urging action on the dire state of education funding in Alberta. Gill stresses that Alberta currently has the lowest per-student education funding in the nation, leading to classroom vacancies, overworked staff, and resource shortages.
Gill warns that without prompt action from the Alberta government, the strikes will only expand and intensify. It’s been highlighted that the average education support worker in the province earns just $34,500 yearly, with many staff members going a decade without a wage increase despite a 30% increase in inflation during that time.
The bottom line is clear – Alberta’s education system is in crisis, and the time for action is now. These videos serve as a powerful tool to raise awareness about the pressing issues faced by education support staff in the province and put pressure on policymakers to make meaningful changes. The dedication and determination of these workers to provide a better learning environment for students is evident, and the impact of their campaign is sure to be felt across the province.