For immediate release
March 15, 2002

Board of Governors Rejects Union Advice to Strengthen and Protect the Collections and Services at Glenbow

Calgary – The members of CUPE local 1645 have grave concerns about a Board of Governors decision yesterday to proceed with staff and service cuts at the Glenbow Museum. As a result of yesterday’s meeting staff and service cuts will be announced by museum management on March 18.

“The union prepared a detailed submission to the Board for yesterday’s meeting including recommendations on a number of alternative ways to address the current budget shortfall. Among them was a proposal to seek increased government funding,” announced CUPE researcher Bonnie Ferguson. Ferguson worked with museum to conduct a survey of the membership and prepare the submission.

“The staff believe that undermining quality services will only compound the financial difficulties of the museum for the long-term and they have urged the Board to build the museum’s future rather than compromise it,” she added.

In its submission the union argues. “….defending and enhancing high quality museum services is the best assurance of the financial well being of the organization. Our services to the community and visitors from around the world create the respect, and profile necessary to encourage and justify ongoing public and private support. Staff and service cuts will directly undermine our greatest assets.”

The survey found that past staff cuts are already seriously jeopardizing the collections and museum services. The union recommended the Board delay decision to cut staff until a thorough evaluation of the long-term impact of budget cuts could be undertaken.

“While the union does not have full information on the extent of the cuts, neither did the Board have full information on their impacts. The staff are the knowledge and skill base required to meet public expectations and to generate public interest and care for the heritage collections,” said Ferguson.

CUPE 1645 members are the curators, technicians, conservators, designers, librarians, archivists, communications, educators, visitor services and administrative support employees at the Glenbow museum. Ferguson holds post-graduate degrees in sociology and is an expert in survey research. She works full-time supporting CUPE members across Alberta.

CUPE is Canada's largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPE’s 31,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit our CUPE websites for more information www.cupe.ca and www.cupealberta.ab.ca

For further information:
Pam Beattie CUPE Communications (780) 484-7644 or (780) 288-1230 (cellular)