ECE cuts hurt kids most affected by pandemic: Toronto Education Workers urge everyone to vote for positive change

TORONTO, ON – Frontline workers are warning of devastating lifelong effects from the Toronto District School Board’s looming cuts of nearly 100 designated early childhood educators (ECEs) for the school year starting in September. “TDSB trustees must immediately rescind these damaging cuts,” said John Weatherup, president of Toronto Education Workers/CUPE Local 4400. “Children five years…

Ontario education workers warn of province-wide school cuts: with only seven days until the provincial election, now is the chance to stop Conservative and Liberal underfunding

TORONTO, ON – With only one week left until provincial election day, frontline education workers are warning of significant and avoidable staff cuts that have been announced for the 2022-2023 school year starting in September. “School boards are choosing to cut educational assistants which will lead to more students not having access to the supports…

TDSB lunchroom supervisor cuts undermine school safety. Trustees must reverse cuts and unite with frontline workers to demand safe funding from Conservatives and Liberals

Toronto, ON – Frontline workers are deeply concerned for children’s safety because Canada’s largest school board plans to cut hundreds of lunchroom supervisors in the 2022-2023 school year. “At a time when the Toronto District School Board should be hiring more lunchroom supervisors, these bosses who are up for re-election this fall are talking about…

“You are hurting children and families,” CUPE 1528 slams provincial government for funding cuts

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Last week, the workers delivering critical programs for children through the Algoma Public Health unit bid farewell to their beloved clients and their families after being laid off following provincial funding cuts. For 30 years, CUPE 1528 members served the community through APH’s infant and child development program, and the…

Child care workers reach agreement with KDSB to continue vital services in Sioux Lookout

Sioux Lookout, ON—Families in Sioux Lookout can be assured that child care services will continue in the region after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) pen a deal to ensure Biidaaban and Sioux Mountain Public School Children’s Centres avert closure. “Families, workers, and the broader community of…

What is the government’s plan for schools without education workers during COVID?

TORONTO, ON – Education workers are demanding that the Ford government come up with a plan that ensures custodians, education assistants (EAs), school secretaries and others are able to stay on the job once schools reopen next week, says the union that represents 55,000 education workers in Ontario. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)…

More money, more staff, safer classrooms: CUPE school board leaders set bargaining priorities for 2022

TORONTO, ON – Reacting to wrenching reports of classroom violence, pressures created by understaffing, and the human cost of low wages and precarious work, school board leaders from the Canadian Union Public Employees (CUPE) have determined that better wages and working conditions for education workers will be the focus of their next round of central…