CUPE 1615: Budget Locks In Cuts at Memorial University

ST. JOHN’S, NL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 1615 says the province’s latest post-secondary funding announcement confirms Memorial University is not being restored.

While the government has increased year-over-year funding by just over 5%, the union says there is no meaningful investment to replace years of lost revenue, leaving Memorial to absorb the costs.

“While we are happy to see a tuition freeze for students’ sake, without significant additional investments, the university will offer fewer services, provide fewer supports, and employ fewer people,” said Bill Kavanagh, President of CUPE 1615, representing​​ ​administrative, instructional, technical, and technical support ​workers at the university. “This budget locks in the existing damage and sets us up for more cuts.”

Members say the impacts are already visible: more than $500 million in deferred maintenance, deteriorating facilities, cuts to core supports like the writing centre, and plans to sell public assets to private buyers.

“Our members are on edge,” Kavanagh said. “They’re being asked to hold services together while wondering if their positions will be cut.”

CUPE 1615 is calling on government to commit to stable, long-term funding that protects Memorial as a ​comprehensive ​public institution​ and upholds the special mandate to the ​citizens of the province​.

​​“Without real investment, this path leads to a smaller, weaker university—and that’s a loss for Newfoundland and Labrador.​ The University ​administration​ and Board of Regents now face ​further​ ​difficult decisions that will impact workers and ultimately change the face of the institution; impact curriculums as well as student services and outcomes.​ I am ​asking the government​ to ​put​ ​forward further funding including via a supplementary​ supply bill in the House of Assembly if need be.​”​​​

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