Welcome to the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council site
The K-12 Presidents’ Council represents 57 CUPE locals in school districts across British Columbia.
CUPE represents more than 30,000 education workers including: education assistants, school secretaries, custodians/caretakers, Indigenous support workers, IT workers, Strong Start facilitators, trades and maintenance workers, and bus drivers.
We strive to protect quality public education for all.
Over 4000 education workers in the Alberta K-12 public school system are on strike. These CUPE members are fighting back against years of provincial governments mandated wages that have left K-12 workers struggling to get by.
So far, nine CUPE locals across the province are on the picket lines. The members represented by these locals have seen their wages lag further and further behind inflation. With over a 10 percent vacancy of school support jobs in the province, the low-wages and poor working conditions have made recruiting and retaining staff a challenge for Alberta school districts.
CUPE education workers are standing up for themselves, and the students and families that depend on them every school day. They are standing up for better supports for better Alberta schools. And they need our support to keep standing strong.
We are urging our B.C. K-12 locals to write letters of support to our friends and fellow school support workers on the picket line in Alberta and consider donating to their strike support fund.
Please send a message to our Alberta friends – B.C. has got your back!
As part of the provincial K-12 Literacy Supports initiative, the Ministry of Education and Child Care, in collaboration with BCcampus, is seeking input from K-12 teachers and educational support staff on online resource needs related to student literacy development, via a brief online survey, and through a series of focus groups.
Survey
The survey will be open from January 31 to February 14, 2025. Please note that survey responses are anonymous and are not intended to assess educator competencies or determine broader programming related to literacy development.
Any questions or concerns regarding the content of the survey or the K-12 Literacy Supports initiative can be submitted to the Inclusive Education Team at literacy.supports@gov.bc.ca. For technical support regarding the survey, please contact support@bccampus.ca.
Focus Groups
Focus groups are expected to be scheduled in February and March 2025. Participants will be asked to participate in 1 virtual engagement session on either a weeknight or weekend, for approximately 2 hours. Participants will be paid $162.50 for their time.
If you are a direct student support worker interested in participating in a focus group, please contact Robynn Devine at rdevine@bccampus.ca. Please include the following information:
CUPE BC released the following bulletin on the BC NDP platform.
CUPE BC is pleased to express its strong support for the BC NDP’s platform announcement, which includes a key commitment to deliver affordable before- and after-school care in every school district. This commitment aligns closely with CUPE BC’s longstanding advocacy for a Seamless Day childcare model that uses existing public school infrastructure and education support staff to provide much-needed, accessible childcare for families across the province.
As outlined in the BC NDP’s platform, the plan aims to reduce childcare costs for families with children up to age 12 by working with school districts, Educational Assistants, and other trusted staff to provide affordable before- and after-school care. This model ensures that children receive care in safe, familiar environments, and reflects CUPE BC’s vision for expanding public childcare within the education system. The plan also includes increased support for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3, with additional Educational Assistants (EAs) in classrooms to meet complex needs and help integrate the childcare program into the school day.
“CUPE BC welcomes the BC NDP’s commitment to affordable, accessible childcare in every school district,” said Karen Ranalletta, President of CUPE BC. “Our members—particularly the Educational Assistants who are vital to supporting students—are excited to see their expertise recognized as part of the solution. This plan not only benefits children and families, but also strengthens public education by creating a more supportive and caring environment for students.”
CUPE BC looks forward to working with the BC NDP and school districts to implement these crucial programs that will make life more affordable for families while ensuring that students receive the support they need in the classroom.
The provincial government will be moving forward with fully integrating before- and after-school care into B.C. schools, staffed by K-12 school support workers.
This initiative will use existing school space as well as school district resources and staff to provide seamless care without additional pickups and drop-offs for families.
CUPE BC President Karen Ranalletta joined Premier David Eby to announce the project this week in Victoria.
“We are excited to partner with government to help make lives easier for parents and continue to offer the same high-quality support to children before and after school that they receive during school hours,” said Ranalletta. “We recognize the need that families face in finding childcare and our members are proud to be part of the solution.”
Three school districts have been selected to pilot the initiative this fall: Chilliwack, Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Nechako Lakes. Education Assistants, Early childhood educators and other support staff in these school districts will provide learning and care for children in classrooms and school spaces. This will mean more hours for school support staff in these districts, and provide much needed childcare in their communities.
Each district will create a model of care that meets provincial guidelines and local needs. The initiative will be evaluated and lessons will support ongoing expansion in other districts across the province.
The K-12 Presidents Council held elections for the executive board last week. Executive positions are for a three-year term and are voted on by CUPE presidents or designated representatives for K-12 sector locals in B.C.
President
Paul Simpson – CUPE 379
Vice-President
Jeanette Beauvillier – CUPE 4990
Secretary Treasurer
Stacey Robinson – CUPE 716
Recording Secretary
Dawn Armstrong – CUPE 3500
Membership Officer
Warren Williams – CUPE 15
Trustee
Dave Bollen – CUPE 409
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