CHATHAM, ON – CUPE 1238 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) condemn the Lambton Kent District School Board’s decision to cut 22 custodial positions.
“These cuts are devastating for our members and for the schools they work in every day,” said Carrie Hopper, President of CUPE 1238. “Custodians are essential frontline workers who keep schools clean, safe, and functioning for students and staff. Eliminating these positions will increase workloads, create more stress and injuries for workers, and ultimately impact the learning environment for students.”
The Board has indicated its plans to create 12 new custodial positions at a higher rate of pay, but current workers will be required to apply for those positions.
“Our members are being told their jobs are disappearing, only to be asked to compete for fewer positions,” Hopper said. “That creates uncertainty and anxiety for workers who have dedicated years of service to this board and their school communities.”
CUPE 1238 represents a broad spectrum of education workers across the Lambton Kent District School Board. Across all classifications, members are already facing rising stress and heavier workloads. These cuts will place additional pressure on the custodial staff who remain and will impact the cleanliness, maintenance, and overall condition of schools across the district.
The OSBCU says these cuts reflect a broader pattern driven by chronic underfunding of education in Ontario since 2018.
“What we’re seeing at LKDSB is part of a broader pattern, where education workers are being asked to pay the price for underfunding,” said Joe Tigani, President of the OSBCU. “These are the people who support students with special needs, maintain safe schools and ensure schools function every day. Cutting these workers hurts everyone.”
CUPE 1328 and the OSBCU are calling on the province to properly fund education and on the LKDSB to immediately reverse these job cuts.
“Students deserve safe, supported learning environments,” Tigani added. “That starts with investing in the workers who make that possible. The OSBCU stands behind CUPE 1238 members as they fight back. We are united in defending good jobs, protecting vital services, and pushing back against a system that continues to undervalue education workers and the students they serve.”
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For more information, please contact:
Shannon Carranco
CUPE Communications
[email protected]
514-703-8358
