Private Members Bill Focuses on Use of Parent Volunteers in Public Schools

The issue over the use of parent volunteers in public schools will be the focus of a private members bill. The issue arose as a result of province wide bargaining demands by CUPE locals who represent public school support staff. The Official Opposition announced recently that it will introduce the “Public School Parent and Volunteer Protection Act” as a private members bill in the Legislative Assembly.  The stated purpose of the proposed legislation is to protect the right of parents to do volunteer work in schools providing they do not displace existing staff services. As it stands, the future of parent volunteers may be affected by new terms imposed by the Industrial Inquiry Commission appointed under the Public Education Support Staff Collective Bargaining Assistance Act to settle over forty school district support staff contracts in the province.