THURSDAY May 1, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 35 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Teachers facing layoffs next term people who could be laid off, noting the district is just going through its annual staffing The Comox Valley School processes now. However, district enrolment District expects to cut the equivalent of 46 full-time is expected to decrease by 240 teachers and support staff next students come September, year, according to secretary which accounts for a reduction of 10.5 FTE teaching positions treasurer Russell Horswill. The district faces an oper- out of the 23 FTE positions expected to be cut. ating budget The enrolment shortfall of decline, according to ... We were $2.16 milHorswill, is linked lion for the forced to look to a large graduat2014/2015 ing class this year year — at this at our human time last year resources more so combined with a projected enrolment of it faced a $1.45 fewer kindergarten million short- than prior years. students. fall — and HorStill, with the swill notes the Russell Horswell enrolment decline Finance Comtaken into considermittee had to make some difficult cuts in ation, teacher-to-pupils ratios will need be adjusted due to this year’s draft budget. “It certainly was a difficult the teaching job cuts. The Finance Committee budget,” Horswill told the Record. “This year we were is also recommending budforced to look at programs get cuts to the maintenance and staffing service levels. department, information techPrior years we were able to nology department, district reduce other budgets that administration/school board didn’t involve people as much, office and student supervision. Horswill’s briefing note to but this year’s difficulty was we were forced to look at our the Comox Valley Board of human resources more so than Education says implementation of the provincially prior years.” He also pointed out the 23 negotiated support staff salFTE teachers and 23 FTE sup- ary increases, plus a structural port staff positions slated to deficit carried forward from be cut next year translates to the 2013/2014 budget contribmore than 46 people losing uted to the shortfall, as well as their jobs because a number of declining enrolment numbers. staff work part-time. Horswill couldn’t give the number of ... see TEACHERS ■ A4
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PHOTOS BY SCOTT STANFIELD
THE CITY OF COURTENAY, Work Safe BC, CUPE 556, the District Labour Council and the United Steelworkers Union held a flagraising ceremony Monday at Simms Park on the National Day of Mourning. CUPE started Worker’s Memorial Day in 1984.
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each of our jobs to educate,” said Robb, who credits the City for Record Staff providing safe physical working Last year, 128 British Columbi- conditions for employees. The Steelworkers Union has ans were killed at work. Nationwide, the annual number of launched a campaign — Stop the Killing. Enforce the Law — which workplace deaths exceeds 1,000. lobbies senior govA Monday flagernments for greatraising at Simms April 28 is er enforcement of Park paid homage to the Westray Act, in those who have lost not an easy day reference to a 1992 their lives or been for any of us. It coal mine explosion injured on the job. in Nova Scotia that The event, held is, however, an on the National Day important day for killed 26 miners. The legislation of Mourning, was a passed in 2004, but joint effort between us. the City of Courtenay, Dianne Robb the union says politicians are not livWork Safe BC, CUPE ing up to promises of 556, the District Labour Council and the United holding corporations criminally responsible for workplace deaths. Steelworkers Union. “Justice is not being served,” “April 28 is not an easy day for any of us. It is, however, an impor- said Anne Davis, first vice-prestant day for us,” said Dianne Robb, ident of the Campbell River, the City’s supervisor of commu- Courtenay and District Labour nity services and unit vice-pres- Council. She feels employers need to ident of CUPE Local 556. “The Day of Mourning is as much a day double their efforts to better proto remember the dead as it is a tect and save lives on the job. CUPE initiated Worker’s call to protect the living.” She implored a crowd at the Memorial Day in 1984. Since Simms pavilion to continue work- then, the observance has spread ing together to protect employees. to more than 80 countries. reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com “And please remember that it’s
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