Northwest School Division worker wins provincial education activism award

Oct 15, 2018 | 2:35 PM

A caretaker with the Northwest School Division has been recognized for his various contributions to CUPE Local 4797.

Glaslyn’s Denis Ouellette, the president of the union, was awarded the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee activist award. Ouellette has been with CUPE for 12 years and has served as a steward and member of the executive committee before his stint as president.

Ouellette, according to the union, has participated in four rounds of bargaining and achieved gains for the members each time. He spent countless hours travelling across the division and communicating with his members to ensure they understand the issues and knew the committee was there for them.

“I did not expect this. I was just trying to support my members,” Ouellette said. “There are lots of members who also deserve this award.”

CUPE national representative Tony Head said whether it is handing out scholarships to children of members, representing members in grievance meetings or negotiations, or being a “fierce defender of the work and rights of education employees,” Ouellette is “a voice for workers in an arena.”

The CUPE Education Steering Committee represents 7,000 support workers in pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 education, ranging from educational assistant to bus drivers, caretakers and nutrition coordinators.

 

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