NLIS 4
January 28, 2003
(Education)

 

Government releases study on hours of work for school support staff

Education Minister Judy Foote released publicly today the report of the Study Group on Hours of Work for school support personnel. The study was established by Premier Roger Grimes following the strike of school support workers in the fall of 2001. Chaired by Dr. Phil Warren, the study group was composed of a representative of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and two management representatives from school boards.

The report, entitled Facing the Challenge, is the result of consultations which were held in 16 locations throughout the province. Over 100 briefs and submissions were made to the study group by individual union members, school teachers and administrators, school boards, school councils, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils, NAPE, CUPE, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers� Association. The study focused on the hours of work of secretaries, janitors and maintenance personnel, and technical support staff.

"Government realizes that there are many people who work within the education system and contribute to the quality of education," said Minister Foote. "The employees who are in the school offices, who clean and maintain our schools and who offer computer support - these individuals play an important role in the daily lives of our students."

Minister Foote commended Dr. Warren and the members of the study group for their work in bringing forward this comprehensive, well-researched report. The minister also thanked all those who attended the consultations and who presented briefs and submissions.

The recommendations call for a change in the way school boards are funded for secretarial and janitorial/maintenance support staff. As well, with the emergence of information and communications technology within the education system, the report recommends a separate allocation to school boards to cover the cost of technology support. The total cost of the recommendations of the report when fully implemented would be $9.5 million annually.

"Government will take some time to review the report and consult with school boards and unions about how and when the recommendations will be implemented," said Minister Foote. "This is an opportune time to receive the report since we are now involved in budget discussions."

The full report can be accessed at: www.gov.nl.ca/edu/pub/study/report.pdf

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-0048

2003 01 28                                       4:15 p.m.


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