CUPE latest group to back out of N.L. Education Accord, warning of creeping privatization

A second organization says it will no longer be participating in the Newfoundland and Labrador government's team tasked with overhauling the province's education system.

CUPE N.L. president Sherry Hillier says she will no longer sit on the Education Accord's advisory board, over worries the government is dismantling the province's public education system.

Hillier said the decision stems from a recent interim report from the group.

"You can see the writing on the wall. It's talking privatization and cutting back of public sector jobs. It's a little sprinkle of the Greene report, which reeked of privatization similar to the Health Accord, Education Accord," Hillier told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.

CUPE N.L.'s withdrawal from the group follows Memorial University's Faculty Association president Josh Lepawsky announcement in January that he was stepping away.

"We did reach out to MUNFA and talked to them on their concerns — basically, same as ours. And after much deliberation and getting the interim report, we felt it was just very fitting that we walk away from this," said Hillier.

CUPE N.L. also walked away from the Health Accord following an interim report.

Threat of P3 model

Hillier said she's worried government will build schools using a public-private partnership, known as a P3 model. She said the newly opened Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, built with a P3 approach, should have had 200 beds but instead has 160 beds.

She worries if the new Kenmount Terrace school is built on the P3 model, it won't be built to serve the necessary number of students.

Her concerns over the future of N.L.'s education system go beyond just the K-12 education system and into post-secondary. She said CUPE N.L. would have given Memorial University a "failing grade" because of the hiring freeze announced late last year.

"We know that the facility is falling down. There's actually a committee started up [at the] university called Fund MUN," said Hillier.

She said MUN is eliminating jobs and people are retiring due to stress.

"Is government going to look at making Memorial University a private university," she said.

CBC News asked the Department of Education for an interview with Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell. Spokesperson Lynn Robinson sent an emailed statement.

While thanking CUPE for its contribution, the statement said the department looks forward to receiving the advisory board's final report while continuing work through the Education Accord to ensure that "all students and learners at all levels receive the educational services they need in the classroom, are prepared for the modern global economy, and develop strong decision-making skills to foster positive health and well-being."

While Hillier sat at the Education Accord table, she said she raised concerns about violence in schools, and keeping jobs like driving school buses in the public sector.

CUPE N.L. has approximately 1,000 members who work in the K-12 education system, in roles like custodians, secretaries and some bus drivers.

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