CUPE 1253 Resolution to put school bus drivers behind the wheels of 21 passenger MFAVs

On May 6, 2010, CUPE 1253 passed an emergency resolution to lobby the provincial government to put professional bus drivers behind the wheel of 21 passenger MFAVs.

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Resolution
Use of qualified drivers on extra-curricular trips
Submitted by the Executive Committee


THAT CUPE NB will lobby the Provincial Government, and especially the Departments of Education and Finance, to fund extra-curricular trips in public schools, and put professional school bus drivers behind the wheel, and not recruit teachers and parents to volunteer their time. They should also provide school buses or multi-function vehicles instead of forcing schools to fundraise for vans and other vehicles,


BECAUSE the driver of the 15-passenger van involved in the Bathurst highway accident which led to the tragic deaths of students on a basketball trip was a volunteer who did not hold a Class 2B licence.

BECAUSE the jury of the Coroner’s Inquest into the tragedy recommended that all extra-curricular trips should be driven by paid drivers holding a Class 2B licence that school bus drivers are required to have.


BECAUSE driving extra-curricular trips is our work.

BECAUSE extra-curricular activities are an important part of education and students deserve them.

BECAUSE the lives, safety and security of our children and youth are important to us.