FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick Council of School District Unions, CUPE Local 1253, delivered this morning approximately 5000 signed postcards to the Minister of Education Roland Haché demanding the return of funding to school transportation.

“When the former Minister of Education, Kelly Lamrock, announced broad-based budget reductions affecting direct services to school children last spring, school transportation was once again on the chopping block,” explained Delalene Harris Foran, President of CUPE 1253.

“To the tune of $2 million, these reductions resulted in 61 less bus runs and 34 layoffs.  For school-aged children, it means longer bus runs, overcrowding, changes to school hours and fewer school trips, or transportation to after-school programs.  In Fredericton and Oromocto, more children are walking to school, up to 2.4 km in some cases.’’

School bus drivers, school custodians and maintenance workers are concerned about reduced health and safety for students since budget cuts have negatively impacted school transportation, cleaning and maintenance for the last three years.  It seems that the public agrees.

About 5000 taxpayers have signed postcards addressed to Premier Shawn Graham and the Education Minister asking for the return of funding.

“Cutting $2 million from school buses is taking the system in the wrong direction.”  The postcards say, “Put the safety of children first!”

Just last week, the Minister of Education Roland Haché confirmed that the $2 million budget cuts will not be reversed.  “The new budget is coming down December 1^st . We are hoping Shawn Graham and Roland Haché will put money back into the school transportation system to offset the cuts.  We are cut to the bone now, and New Brunswickers can’t take any more cuts due to safety,” added Delalene Harris Foran.

The New Brunswick Council of School District Unions  represents 2100 school bus drivers, school custodians and maintenance and trades workers across the province.