UNION SAYS ANOTHER 25 POSITIONS AXED, WITH EVEN MORE RUMOURED
SASKATOON – Saskatchewan Polytechnic is being hit with even more layoffs as provincial funding to the institution flatlines and the provincial government fails to sign a new multi-year funding deal.
The Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association has confirmed to the Saskatchewan NDP that 25 more of their members are being laid off in the latest round of cuts.
The cuts are expected to affect all campuses and numerous programs, including the trades, businesses, nursing and student supports.
Forty-one staff were already laid off in the first two rounds of cuts earlier this year.
“The students learning in these post-secondary schools are literally our future,” said Tajinder Grewal, Saskatchewan NDP Advanced Education Shadow Minister.
“We can’t have strong healthcare or a strong economy without a strong Sask. Poly. Education is provincial jurisdiction, and the Sask. Party should not have allowed this to happen.”
The recent Sask. Party budget cut funding for advanced education by $6 million overall and did not lock in a new, stable four-year funding agreement as many in the post-secondary sector had hoped for.
Due to years of underfunding, post-secondary schools have been forced to turn to international student tuition to fill the gaps.
“These layoffs are not just organizational decisions, they represent the loss of dedicated educators who have devoted themselves to our students, programs, and communities,” said Michelle Downton, President of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association.
“Each position eliminated weakens the foundation of quality education that Saskatchewan Polytechnic is known for. The SPFA will continue to stand firmly with our members and call for a renewed commitment to investing in post-secondary education, that would keep our educators and students in Saskatchewan.”
“It’s time for Minister Cheveldayoff and the Sask. Party government to be straight with the public and immediately release all information about layoffs,” added Grewal.
“The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the Sask. Party government to step up and do everything in its power to stop these cuts.”
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