WATERLOO, ON – Members of CUPE 2512, representing education workers at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, will be canvassing door-to-door throughout Progressive Conservative MPP Brian Riddell’s riding of Cambridge on Saturday as part of CUPE’s province-wide ‘Paint the Province Purple’ day of action in support of publicly funded education.
CUPE 2512 represents Administrative Assistants, Clerical staff, Child and Youth Care Workers, Educational Assistants, Registered Early Childhood Educators, Library Technicians, Morning and Lunch Supervisors, Hall Monitors, IT workers, and other education workers who support students and school communities across the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. They will be speaking directly with Cambridge residents about the severe funding and staffing shortages in Ontario’s publicly funded schools.
Education workers will also be distributing lawn and window signs featuring the message “Together for Publicly Funded Education,” a campaign developed collaboratively by ETFO, OSSTF, AEFO, OECTA, and the OSBCU demonstrating a united front.
“Our members are the people who help students learn, grow, and succeed every day,” said Mechelle O’Hagan, President of CUPE 2512. “From Educational Assistants and Child and Youth Care workers to Administrative staff, Library Technicians, IT workers, and Supervisors, our members provide critical support that keeps schools running. When staffing is cut, students lose access to services and supports they rely on. That’s why we’re talking directly with our community about the urgent need to invest in publicly funded education.”
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board recently notified CUPE 2512 that it plans to eliminate 15 Morning Supervisor positions following the end of the school year. The cuts come at a time when schools across Ontario are struggling with staffing shortages and increasing student needs, adding further pressure on school communities and the workers who support them.
The ‘Paint the Province Purple’ day of action comes as CUPE education workers prepare to return to the bargaining table with the provincial government. Across Ontario, more than 800 CUPE education workers are facing layoffs at the end of the school year despite increasing student needs and severe staffing shortages.
“Education workers are stepping up to have important conversations with parents, caregivers, and community members about the future of our schools,” said Joe Tigani, President of the OSBCU. “Students deserve the supports they need to succeed, and education workers deserve the resources necessary to do their jobs. As we head into bargaining, we’re calling on local MPPs to stand up for students, workers, and publicly funded education.”
Well funded and well staffed school boards matter to every community in Ontario. Together, education workers and community members are sending a clear message: Ontario’s students deserve better.
CUPE 2512 members are encouraging residents throughout the Cambridge riding to show their support for publicly funded education and join the call for investments that put students first.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Shannon Carranco
CUPE Communications
[email protected]
514-703-8358
