CUPE 411 recently followed up with the School District Trustees after the public budget presentation, raising concerns about staffing, workload, and transparency.

We have now received a response from the Board.

For full details, please review our original email (linked below), which outlines our questions in detail.

Many concerns were acknowledged, but not fully answered

The Board recognized the concerns raised, particularly around:

• Reductions to frontline support staff
• Increasing workload pressures in schools

However, most responses were general in nature and did not provide clear or detailed answers to the specific questions we asked.

Limited transparency on spending decisions

We asked for more information about:

• Contracted services
• Staffing decisions
• Overall allocation of resources

The response did not include:

• Cost breakdowns
• Details on trends or changes
• Clear explanations of how decisions are being made

Without this information, it is difficult to fully understand or assess budget decisions.

Critical questions about EA staffing remain unanswered

CUPE 411 raised serious concerns about:

• Reductions to Education Assistant (EA) positions
• Ongoing vacancies and underspending in EA budgets

These questions were not answered and have been referred to staff for follow-up.

This is a key issue, as it directly impacts students and the supports available in schools.

Focus on high-level data instead of school realities

The Board pointed to overall budget percentages to show alignment with other districts.

However:

• These comparisons don’t reflect what’s happening in our schools
• They do not account for differences between districts of similar size and needs
• They do not address real impacts on workload, staffing, and student support

Members know that the reality in schools cannot be measured through high-level numbers alone.

Transportation – some clarity, but limited commitments

We did receive confirmation that:

• There is no current plan to increase bus fees

However, most other issues remain unclear or unresolved.

While bus fee increases are not being considered at this time, there remains a valid concern that changes to transportation services, such as reducing or eliminating bus routes, could still occur.

These types of decisions can have a direct impact not only on students and families, but also on staffing levels and working conditions within the district.

Transportation decisions, like staffing decisions, need to be clearly understood and transparently communicated, given their broader impact across the system.

What This Means for Our Members

Many of the concerns raised by CUPE 411 members (workload pressures, staffing shortages, and support for students) remain unanswered or unclear.

We believe:

• Decisions affecting frontline staff should be fully transparent
• Budget priorities should clearly reflect student needs and school realities

Members deserve clear, direct answers, not general statements

CUPE 411 will continue to:

• Push for clear answers and transparency
• Advocate for frontline staffing and student supports
• Follow up specifically on EA staffing and vacancies

With Civic and School Trustee elections coming up this fall, it is important that we, as employees of the district, pay close attention to the candidates seeking election.

Budget decisions are not made in isolation. They reflect the priorities and values of those in leadership.

As you review candidates:

• Look beyond broader political or divisive issues
• Pay attention to how candidates speak about public education, frontline services, and the role of support staff
• Reflect on whether support staff are valued and respected in the same way as other roles within the school district
• Ask: Do they recognize that support staff are directly involved in caring for, supporting, and ensuring the well-being of students every day?

These decisions have a direct impact on our working conditions, our professional respect within the district, and the level of support available to students.

 

For full context, please click HERE to review the email which outlines all of the questions we raised in detail.

This information is based on questions raised by CUPE 411 following the public Board of Education meeting on May 19. Members can review the full meeting materials and related information on the School District’s website: https://www.sd33.bc.ca/board-meetings-2025-26

Hello CUPE 411 members!

I extend my sincere appreciation to the outgoing CUPE Local 411 Executive officers. For their unwavering dedication and service. Serving on the Executive is a demanding and often unrecognized responsibility. Our roles require significant personal sacrifice, including time away from our families and school sites. Giving up our breaks, evenings and weekends, often without the awareness of the general membership. Each Executive Officer has played a vital role in upholding the Collective Agreement and advocating for our members. We have represented members during grievances and disciplinary processes, provided support through hardships and injuries, completed forms, made phone calls and other administrative requirements. What has resonated most with me is the collective commitment and resolve demonstrated when our members need support. We consistently approach challenging meetings with determination while always striving for fairness and equity.

Dale, Debbie, Cody, Katie, Krista, Jocelyn and Tammy. As you all step away, I want to thank each of you for the time, effort, and dedication you have shown in working collaboratively to support our Executive and our members. Your hard work has made a significant impact in our Union collectively.

Robert and Jeff, your calm and thoughtful demeanour, combined with your wealth of knowledge and experience, greatly enhance the effectiveness of our team. Thank you both for your steady presence and meaningful contributions.

Kari and Sharon, I am truly excited about the opportunities ahead as we work together through our newly formed CUPE 411 Health and Safety Committee. I look forward to what we will accomplish as a team.

Kristy, Richanda, Kate and Nathan. Thank you for accepting the nominations and for embarking on this new journey. I look forward to the work that we will be able to accomplish together.

To my friend and sister in solidarity, April. As you step away from the role of President and into the role of Secretary-Treasurer, I wish to express my gratitude for your exemplary leadership and tireless commitment over the past year. The countless hours, weekends, evenings and holidays you have dedicated to the Union were always guided by the principles of fairness and equity, never for personal gain or political advancement. I am especially thankful for your mentorship, encouragement, and support. I aspire to uphold the standards you have set and look forward to working together to continue making a positive impact within the District.

To all of you who attended the AGM and supported my appointment, I am deeply grateful for your confidence in my abilities. I pledge to serve all divisions – transportation, assistants, maintenance, clerical and custodial – with dedication and integrity. My commitment is to advocate for and support each of you to the best of my ability.

In Solidarity,

Agnieszka (Aggie) Malecki
President, CUPE Local 411

CUPE 411 Bylaws have been approved by CUPE National and posted to the Resources — Bylaws section HERE.

The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday May 23, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Below are the list of positions up for election:

For more information, click the image…

 

CUPE K‑12’s Provincial Bargaining Committee has reached a tentative provincial framework agreement with the BC Public School Employers’ Association. This agreement recognizes the vital role school support workers play in public education and provides a strong foundation for local bargaining.

More details will be shared once the agreement is presented to the K‑12 Presidents Council for endorsement. Thank you to all members for your solidarity, patience, and support throughout this round of bargaining.

The next regular membership meeting is on zoom and you must register in advance to attend (once registered you will be sent the meeting link). Register HERE.

Don’t forget! If you have attended at least 3 of 5 meetings from May to March, you will be entered to win a change to attend CUPE BC Convention from April 29-May 2 in Victoria, BC. You get one entry for each meeting you attended (no entries for anyone that has not attended a minimum of 3 meetings).

Please see the meeting agenda below…

Links to Additional FREE Crisis and Support Services Available to Chilliwack (and BC) Residents:

• Chilliwack Youth Health Centre: https://chilliwackyhc.com/need-help-now/
• Fraser Health Crisis Line: https://www.options.bc.ca/program/fraser-health-crisis-line
• Fraser Health Mobile Integrated Crisis Response (MICR): https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/mental-health

Meeting agenda:

To all our wonderful ‘student first’ employees, working in the assistants division, we want some feedback from you! We have seen and heard about an increase in unwelcome behaviour happing during your work day. Your health and safety is very important to the union, so please share some feedback with us. The form takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes to complete (depending on your response).

Please note that the survey is confidential and details will only be shared with permission from you. We will never share your name/information without your permission.

The survey is open to any member that works in the Assistants division. This includes:

• Before and After School Care Assistant
• Career Advisor
• Chef Assistant A or B
• Child and Youth Care Worker
• Dual Credit and Apprenticeship Facilitator
• Early Childhood Educator (incl. Assistant)
• Education Assistants
• Family Navigator
• Supervision Assistant
• Work Experience Facilitator
• Response Support Worker

Please click the following link: CUPE 411 Check In: Your Voice Matters to complete the survey.

Deadline to complete the survey is Wednesday January 28, 2026.