CUPE Local 8443

📣 CUPE 8443 stands with education support workers following new survey findings showing increasing medical and personal care duties in schools, often without consistent training, clear policies, or adequate supports.

Our members are being asked to perform complex tasks like medication administration, epi-pen use, tube feeding, and seizure response. This highlights serious gaps created by ongoing underfunding.

These responsibilities must come with proper certified training, clear protections, and appropriate compensation that reflects the level of skill, risk, and responsibility involved, so both staff and students are supported safely.

Support falling short as education workers take on medical responsibilities in schools - CUPE Saskatchewan New survey findings released today by the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee (EWSC) show that education support workers across the province are performing a wide range of medical procedures in schools – often without consistent training, clear direction, or adequate support....

🌈 Happy Pride Month from CUPE 8443! 🌈

This June, we celebrate Pride Month by recognizing the strength, diversity, and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ members in our workplaces, communities, and union.

Pride is a time to celebrate progress, reflect on the ongoing work toward equality and inclusion, and stand together against discrimination in all its forms. CUPE 8443 is committed to fostering a workplace where everyone is respected, valued, and able to be their authentic selves.

We are proud to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all members.

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

🌟 CUPE 8443 Member of the Month: Malika Khurana 🌟

CUPE 8443 is proud to recognize Malika Khurana, an EA II, as our June Member of the Month! 👏💙

Malika is an incredible asset to her team, consistently demonstrating dedication, compassion, and professionalism. Every day, she supports students with diverse needs, approaching every unique challenge with unwavering flexibility, patience, and care.

Her commitment to student success is evident in the many roles she takes on. Known for creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment, Malika regularly goes above and beyond to ensure her students have everything they need to thrive. Her strong work ethic and deeply caring nature make a meaningful, lasting difference in the lives of students, staff, and families alike.

Malika perfectly embodies the core values of care, inclusion, and dedication that make our schools stronger. We are incredibly fortunate to have her in our union and are proud to celebrate the vital impact she makes every single day.

🎉 Congratulations, Malika, on being named CUPE 8443's Member of the Month!🎉

🎓 CUPE 8443 Scholarships 2026 🎓

CUPE Local 8443 is proud to support education and lifelong learning by offering eight $1,000 scholarships for 2026!

📚 Available Scholarships:

🔹 2 scholarships for Saskatoon Public Schools graduates attending a trade or technical school

🔹 4 scholarships for children or grandchildren of current CUPE 8443 members attending any post-secondary institution

🔹 2 scholarships for current CUPE 8443 members pursuing full-time post-secondary education

📝 Applications must include:

• School and community involvement
• Proof of post-secondary registration
• Transcript of marks
• A 500-word essay, PowerPoint presentation, 4-minute video, or other approved format on the topic: The Role of Unions in Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)

📅 Application deadline: October 1, 2026

🌐 Application forms and eligibility details are available at 8443.cupe.ca

Investing in education. Supporting our members. Building stronger futures. 💙🧡

🎉 Meet Your 2026 CUPE 8443 Executive & Committee Representatives! 🎉

A huge thank you to every member who cast a ballot and to all of the candidates who put their names forward in this year’s election. Your participation is what keeps our union strong, democratic, and member-driven. ✊

Please join us in congratulating the members who have been elected and acclaimed to serve CUPE 8443:

⭐ President
Dene Nicholson (Acclaimed)

⭐ VP Chief Steward
Shandel McLeod

⭐ Recording Secretary
Carole-Anne Wilson (Acclaimed)

⭐ Diversity Chairperson
Cayla Robinson Eckes (Acclaimed)

⭐ Scholarship Chairperson
Michelle Beswitherick (Acclaimed)

⭐ Trustee (3-Year Term)
Joanne Muller (Acclaimed)

⭐ Bargaining Committee By-Election
Rhonda Sharples

⭐ Stewards
• Lia Storey-Gamble
• Donna Watt
• Mark Poitras
• Erin Pederson
• Darrell Janzen

Thank you to everyone who ran for a position and to every member who voted. Your engagement and willingness to step forward to serve makes CUPE 8443 stronger.

We look forward to working together as we continue to advocate for our members and build an even stronger local.

💪 Strength in Numbers. ✊ In Solidarity.

☀️ SPF & SOLIDARITY PARTY ☀️

CUPE 8443 and STA are teaming up for a fun-filled evening of food, games, and solidarity! 🌴🍧🎉

📅 June 11, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 James L. Alexander School

Enjoy:
🌮 Taco ‘Bout It, Wild Pies & Kona Ice
🎈 Balloon animals & face painting
🐴 Wrangler Elisa
🏃 Obstacle course & backyard games
🎁 Prize giveaways

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to CUPE 8443 / STA members and their partners & children (under 21)

🎟️ $5 per meal
👧 Kids under 5 eat free
💛 All proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House

📝 Register by June 3, 2026
🔗 Link in graphic / scan the QR code to register!

💙💚🧡 ANOTHER WAY TO SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY 🧡💚💙

Our members have spoken loud and clear.

✊ CUPE 8443 voted 94% YES in favour of strike action.
✊ CUPE 2268 voted 90% YES.
✊ CUPE 3730 voted 90% YES.

These overwhelming mandates send a powerful message: our members are united and ready to stand together for fairness, respect, and a better future.

Now you can show your support by sharing our new solidarity graphic featuring all three locals:
💚 CUPE 3730
💙 CUPE 2268
🧡 CUPE 8443

When one local stands up, we all stand together.

📢 Update your profile picture, share this post, and let everyone know that our strength comes from standing united.

🗳️ Sick of elections yet? 😅

No? Good - because we’ve got ONE MORE this week! 💪🔥

It’s time to elect your CUPE Local 8443 Executive and Committee members. Your vote helps shape the leadership that will represent our members and guide our union forward.

📅 Voting Opens: Tuesday, May 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
📅 Voting Closes: Wednesday, May 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM

👥 Want to see who’s running and read candidate bios and platforms? Visit:
🌐 8443.cupe.ca/election-platforms/

📧 Watch your personal email for your secure ballot from [email protected]

📂 Don’t forget to check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see it.

🗳️ Your vote matters.
🗣️ Your voice matters.
✊ Your union matters.

❤️🖤 Strength in Numbers

Education support workers with CUPE 8443 have delivered an overwhelming strike mandate, sending a clear message that fair wages are a priority. ✊📚

Voting took place from 9 p.m. on Friday, May 8 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 10 through Simply Voting. A total of 1,011 members cast ballots, with 93.7% voting in favour of strike action — 947 in support and 64 opposed. 🗳 ☑️

These workers keep schools running every day, and they’re standing united for better working conditions and stronger public education.

CUPE 8443 education support workers send strong message with overwhelming strike mandate Education support workers with the Saskatoon Public Schools have delivered a strong strike mandate, with nearly 94% voting in favour of strike action.