Hazel Trembath School Fire

CUPE 561 members,

I’m sure most of you are already aware of the tragedy of the Hazel Trembath Elementary School fire. I can’t tell you how disheartening this is for me, as I’m sure it is for our members and all Employees and students of SD43. The images on the news have been very upsetting to see, and I really feel for these young learners, and understand that this is a very difficult time for them. For all of you and your families who have been directly affected, the CUPE 561 Executive is offering you our deepest sympathies and will be there to support you as we move through the rebuilding process. Please reach out to your Union stewards or contact our office for updates, or if you have any questions or concerns.

On a positive note, the District was fortunate to have Winslow Centre available to use and keep students and staff together in one facility. The process is underway now to get the building ready.

Our members who are currently working at Hazel have been reassigned to Winslow for the short/medium term and have not missed out on any work or hours. They are working hard with the rest of the school staff and district staff to help set up this facility for an elementary school setting. Thank you for rallying with our entire SD43 family to make this happen for our students.

As you can imagine, there are still many details to work out and we will continue to update you as we get information from the district. We will leave it to the District to communicate out when classes will be in session, and all the details around transportation etc.

We know our amazing members will support each other and work with our partner groups to ensure a welcoming experience for the students from Hazel Trembath.

Please contact the Union if you have questions.

In Solidarity,

Your CUPE 561 Executive

CUPE 561 acknowledges that our province of British Columbia is located on the homelands of 203 distinct Indigenous Nations and cultures; with over 30 different languages and close to 60 unique dialects spoken in the province. We ask all of our members to reflect, acknowledge and honour in their own way the First Nations land on which they live work and play.

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional and unceded territory of the following Nations; Coast Salish,  kʷikʷəƛ̓əmᓪ(Kwikwetklem) , Stó:lo, sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh),  Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Métis, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), the Semá:th and Mathxwí  and Inuit First Nations, in which our Local is able to operate. We recognize, honour and respect the presence of Indigenous people, past, present and future.