On Wednesday, August 7, a small demonstration was held near Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner’s office by the CUPE Local 2347.
This union is for Drumheller Education Support Workers and they were lined up along South Railway Avenue with purple shirts and signs hoping for support from the public in regards that their members be provided a living wage. The “Purple Fights Poverty” campaign is being conducted to raise awareness of the dismal wage of educational support workers. According to Christine Jakubowsky, Vice-President of CUPE Local 2347, shares that they just want the public to understand what their members are going through. “We are the education support staff here in Drumheller and we work for your kids. Our ‘purple’ campaign is to fight poverty because a lot of our members are working below the poverty line right now.”
The average education worker in Alberta is making $34,300 per year. Jakubowsky admits that it is hard for their members to live on this income alone. “It’s really difficult. When you have staff that have families, and they are trying to balance family and work, when you have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet, it is really tough.”
The demonstration went very well according to Jakubowsky and she notes that the public support is there. “We have had so many waves, so many honks, thumbs up out windows. We had one lady drive by, open her window and say she was CUPE from Ontario and she supports us all the way. That makes it worth while.”
As for the hope for change from this event. Jakubowsky hopes there is but it is more about understanding. “At this point, it’s public awareness because if people don’t know, they can’t support us. What we would like them to know is that our students have changed, our job expectations have changed, but our pay has not changed to match that, so if they know they can support us in our fight for a living wage.”
The CUPE Local 2347 have signs for those who would like to show their support. If you would like one for your lawn, reach out to Christine Jakubowsky via Facebook or email. Contract bargaining begins this fall.
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