CUPE Local 1770, representing School Administrative Assistants and Branch-Based Clerical Staff across Prince Edward Island, is calling on the public to extend compassion and understanding to frontline school staff. This comes in light of hateful responses directed at our members, particularly regarding recent decisions made by the Public Schools Branch, such as the removal of student memorials from schools.
“While we understand that some decisions in education can spark strong emotions, it’s crucial to remember that our members are not responsible for these decisions. Yet, they are often the ones bearing the brunt of public frustration,” said Tracy Campbell, President of CUPE Local 1770. CUPE Local 1770 members are the heart of PEI schools. They manage essential behind-the-scenes tasks like processing payroll, scheduling bus routes, and ordering supplies, while also being the welcoming faces and voices greeting staff, students, and families each day. They provide care, answer calls, and connect people to the right resources.
Harassment and Verbal Abuse Are Not Part of the Job
“Our members do their best to serve their communities with compassion and respect,” Campbell said. “However, they are increasingly subjected to verbal abuse, name-calling, and even threats, whether in person, over the phone, or online. This has been an ongoing issue, raised repeatedly with the employer in labour-management meetings.”
“Our members do their best to serve their communities with compassion and respect,” Campbell said. “However, they are increasingly subjected to verbal abuse, name-calling, and even threats, whether in person, over the phone, or online. This has been an ongoing issue, raised repeatedly with the employer in labour-management meetings.”
CUPE Local 1770 wants to remind the public that frontline staff have no authority over policy changes or mandates. They are not decision-makers; they are hard-working individuals fulfilling their duties with professionalism and care.
A Call for Community Respect
CUPE Local 1770 encourages everyone to direct their concerns to the appropriate decision-makers, rather than taking out frustrations on frontline staff. Harassment has no place in our schools or communities. “Our members live and work in the same communities they serve. They deserve to feel safe and respected in their roles and outside their workplaces,” added Campbell. “Whether it’s at a grocery store, a coffee shop, or on social media, our members should not have to face work-related harassment in their personal lives.”
CUPE Local 1770 encourages everyone to direct their concerns to the appropriate decision-makers, rather than taking out frustrations on frontline staff. Harassment has no place in our schools or communities. “Our members live and work in the same communities they serve. They deserve to feel safe and respected in their roles and outside their workplaces,” added Campbell. “Whether it’s at a grocery store, a coffee shop, or on social media, our members should not have to face work-related harassment in their personal lives.”
CUPE Local 1770 stands firm in fostering respectful and kind workplaces and communities for all. We ask the public to join us in showing appreciation for the frontline school staff who work tirelessly to support PEI’s education system.