Dear Brothers and Sisters of our Union:

After a year of being there for the students of the district, relief is in sight for us. We have stepped up and through this pandemic have been on the front lines keeping the schools open, clean, and supporting the students, the teachers and each other.

It is a huge relief to know we have been prioritized to be vaccinated in April. Your Union has been working diligently behind the scenes for this past year to make this day happen, to ensure your safety and to get through this together. Throughout this period, CUPE has invested our efforts in direct communication with the government and the results speak for themselves.

Words cannot express how proud I am of all of our CUPE Staff for working through these anxious and stressful times. We may not always get the mention in the press, but the schools could not operate without our efforts, and I am immensely proud of all of you.

This pandemic has touched all of us. Finally getting prioritized for the vaccine is a huge step in protecting us and heading us down the path to the new normal.

Once again we should all be proud of how we have been there for each other and our students. We have kept strong through very adverse, trying and uncertain circumstances. I am in awe of your strength and resilience, and I also wish to extend a thank you to all our partners, district staff and the teachers for their efforts.

In Solidarity,

Ian Hillman, CUPE 716 President