Education workers launch new videos, $1.4 million advertising campaign
EDMONTON – Striking education support workers are taking to the airwaves with two new video ads in support of their campaign for better classroom supports. The videos, produced for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are part of a $1.4 million campaign the union has launched.
Over 4,000 education support workers are on strike in the Edmonton region and Fort McMurray, with over 2,000 more taking strike votes this weekend across Alberta.
CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill said the ads speak to issues any parent can identify with – classroom support. In one video, a noisy classroom is in chaos until an Educational Assistant enters the room and calms things down. In the second video, young students talk about what they need to succeed, with one child pointing to “my Abigail,” his educational support person.
Ads direct viewers to visit www.helpstudentssucceed.ca where they can send a letter to their MLA.
“Alberta has the lowest per student education funding of any province in Canada,” said Gill. “Students are being impacted by classroom vacancies, overworked staff, and lack of resources.”
“The Alberta government has to act, and act soon, or this campaign and these strikes will expand and spread,” said Gill.
Gill said most education support staff have not had a wage increase in ten years, a period of 30% inflation. The average education support worker makes just $34,500 per year.
Contact: Lou Arab, Communications Representative
larab@cupe.ca 780.271.2722
Video #1 – Education support staff help the entire classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y8Nqjx3u6Y
Video #2 – What do I need to succeed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYT9jGLiq_4