CUPE 4154 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions are criticizing planned staffing cuts by the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, saying the changes could hurt students and education workers across the region.
The unions say close to 20 jobs and several important student support services are at risk, impacting nearly 300 education workers. Proposed cuts include student support workers, IT staff and other support positions. Some full-time secretary roles are also being reduced from 12 months to 10 months.
CUPE 4154 president Trudy Scott said workers are already stretched thin and warned the layoffs would increase workloads and reduce support for students.
The OSBCU says the cuts are part of a larger problem caused by underfunding in Ontario’s education system since 2018.
OSBCU president Joe Tigani said education workers play a key role in supporting students and maintaining safe schools. Both unions are calling on the province and the school board to reverse the cuts.
