8 Feature

CUPE and students

By LEO CHEVERIE

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is one of the largest unions in Canada. Its workers work in many workplaces directly or

indirectly funded by public dol-

lars.

They work in the areas of hospitals, health care facili- ties, municipalities, school sys- tem and post secondary edu- cation.

CUPE works with a variety of partners across the country in addressing the in- creasing erosion of public serv- ices.

One of those partners is the Canadian Federation of Students. CUPE nationally has advocated a strong work- ing relationship between CUPE members who work at univer- sities and students represented by t the CFS.

In many universities across the country, CUPE members who are teaching assistants are actually mem- bers of CFS as well. It is evident that CUPE members in a variety of fields have wit- nessed the erosion of public services and the increasing costs borne by students and others with the implementa-

tion of the CHST by the Chrétien government.

As CUPE members, we are acutely aware that te reduction of a federal deficit has been on the backs of stu- dents, che unemployed and many others.

CUPE 1870 at UPEI numbers over 200 members employed in many support functions throughout the uni- versity. Technicians, secre- taries, administrative support, clerks, and others. In these positions, many CUPE staff are in constant contact with students and are aware of the heavy burden of increased tui- tion and other costs on stu- dents. In fact, many CUPE members are part time stu- dents or individuals who have family members that are stu- dents.

CUPE 1870 have made efforts in supporting CFS by supporting student issues and actions. Along with other CUPE members, I have been privileged to participate in sev- eral marches to both Province House and the Provincial Gov- ernment buildings. As well, members of the PEI CUPE division have attended the un- veiling of the provincial budget. CUPE 1870 hasalso supported CFS financially with several

of their campaigns. CUPE 1870 has also consistently pro- posed resolutions supporting affordable and accessible post secondary education, which have beenconsistently adopted at PEI CUPE Division and PEI Federation of Labour con- ventions. Last spring, the resolution proposed by CUPE 1870 specifically highlighted that the PEI division of CUPE support and work in solidarity with the recently formed pro- vincial component of the CFS in making affordable and ac- cessible post secondary edu- cation in Canada a reality.

CFS has also been a very strong supporter on many issues of common concern to CUPE. These issues include child poverty, support of social programs, advocation ofa fair taxation system, and work on both federal and provincial al- ternative budgets.

I encourage all students to support CFS and their goals. Man of us who work on this campus and other campuses across Canada will work with you so that post secondary education becomes more af- fordable and accessible in the future.

We know that you, the student of today, are our fu- ture.

The Cadre « 3 November 1998

Keyin College

Information Technology week

Open House

Keyin college extends an invitation to the general public to visit our state-of-the-art facility & experience information technology training at its best NOV. 23 & 24

MON: 6-8 TUE:2 - 4 FULL TIME PROGRAMS * Computer science * Computer electronics & network support EVENING PROGRAMS *Introduction to graphic design *Introduction to HTLM. *Introduction to the Internet *Introduction to MS Word *Introduction to MS Excel *Introduction to Windows 95 *Visual Basic

For further information:

Keyin College

500 queen St..

Charlottetown, PE of CIA 8K9

tel: 566- 2345

fax: 566-2145 tap