Posts published in April 2026

CUPE 5335 and the Conseil des syndicats des conseils scolaires de l’Ontario (CSCSO) strongly condemn the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario’s (CEPEO’s) intention to cut 24 full-time equivalent positions, affecting approximately 45 CUPE-member education workers by the end of the school year. 

“These cuts are a direct assault on the frontline workers who, day in and day out, support our students, families and school communities,” said Christine Couture, president of CUPE 5335. “The employer is choosing to balance its budget at our members’ expense. That is totally unacceptable. We won’t look on while dozens lose their livelihoods.” 

CUPE 5335 represents a wide range of workers in the education sector, including secretarial and other essential support staff, who make sure that schools run smoothly and students get the services they need to succeed. 

In addition to these job cuts, the employer announced that all but one secretarial position would be reduced from 12- to 10-month assignments. This change would significantly reduce these workers’ income and job security. Yet, the school board will be opening two new schools in September, raising concerns about staffing priorities and resource allocation.

“For many of our members, we’re not just talking about job loss. This seriously compromises their ability to support themselves and their families,” said Couture. “Changing secretaries to 10-month contracts is a step backwards and an assault on the value of their work.” 

To justify these cuts, the employer pointed to a planned reduction of the deficit—from $3.4 to $1.8 million—using a new funding formula. However, CUPE 5335 and CSCSO reject the idea that workers should be the ones having to bear the brunt of any deficits. 

“Education workers should not be the ones to pay the price,” said Joe Tigani, president of CSCSO. “These are the professionals who keep schools running, foster student success and contribute to safe, inclusive learning environments. Our students and our communities will feel the consequences if these jobs are lost.” 

The union warns that the cuts will increase the workload of remaining staff members, reduce student support and negatively impact every level of school operations. 

“Now is a critical time for our members,” said Couture. “Our strength lies in our solidarity. We will come together to defend our jobs, our working conditions and the student services we provide.” 

CUPE 5335 and CSCSO call on the Government of Ontario to remedy the chronic underfunding of the education system and on the CEPEO to immediately abandon these cuts. 

“Our students deserve the support of properly funded schools,” said Tigani. “We stand with CUPE 5335 members who oppose these destructive cuts.” 

Long-term care workers at Valley View Villa, in Halifax, Nova Scotia represented by CUPE 2330, joined the picket line this morning, along with 24 other long-term care homes province wide.

“Even 4 days into a province-wide strike, Minister Adams is insistent that their offer is strong and competitive. I think over 2,000 striking workers, with more to come, is a very clear message that we disagree,” said CUPE Long-Term and Community Care Committee Chair Christa Sweeney. “Long-term care workers deserve a living wage and we’re going to stay on the line until their offer brings us closer to that.”

Other striking long term care homes include:

The outside workers at the Ville de Montréal launched a second strike this morning. The three-day action will run from 6:00 a.m. on April 15 to 6 a.m. on April 18. Workers picketed in front of all municipal garages on the first day.

At a press conference earlier today, Jean‑Pierre Lauzon, president of the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301), gave an update on bargaining. Talks are at an impasse, as the city continues to be inflexible on its wage-increase program.

“We have shown openness and goodwill,” Lauzon explained. “The non-monetary clauses are now settled. The only thing still holding us back is the city’s insistence on offering an 11% increase over five years. This would directly impoverish outside workers during a cost-of-living crisis.”

The union also mentioned that it recently tabled concrete solutions that would let the Ville de Montréal save substantial amounts, by reducing subcontracting in line with the findings of the office of the inspector general.

“We’ve been focused on solutions right from the start,” Lauzon continued. “But the city’s wage offer is not based on any rigorous comparison, and it does not reflect the economic realities or the outside workers’ essential contribution.”

The union points out that choosing to strike is never done lightly. Striking is always a last resort, when all other avenues have been exhausted.

“We want a negotiated agreement, and we want to keep working for Montréal, but we won’t sign an agreement that would set our members back, especially in such difficult economic times,” Lauzon concluded.

A first, one-day strike took place in February. It was the first time outside workers had held a strike since 2009. Their collective agreement expired on December 31, 2024, and the parties have held nearly 50 negotiation and mediation meetings to date.

Education workers in southwestern Ontario represented by CUPE 4299 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions, OSBCU, strongly condemn the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence’s, CSC Providence, plan to lay off between 40 and 50 CUPE education workers by the end of this school year in August.

“These cuts are a direct attack on the frontline workers who keep our schools running and support students every single day,” said Anthony Cutrone, president of CUPE 4299. “The board had other choices, but instead they’ve chosen to balance their budget on the backs of our members. We will not stand by while dozens of families lose their livelihoods and students lose critical supports.”

CUPE 4299 represents education workers who work as Educational Assistants, Child and Youth Workers, Registered Early Childhood Educators, secretarial staff, IT staff, custodial workers, social workers, and other non-teaching staff that provide essential services that support student success and well-being across the school board.

These cuts come as a direct result of a $3.3 million deficit, caused in part by the ongoing underfunding of public education by the provincial government.

“What’s especially troubling is that at the beginning of the school year in September, we were told there would be no layoffs,” Cutrone said. “Now we’re facing up to 50 job losses. Our members deserve honesty, respect, and job security.”

The union warns that the layoffs — representing approximately 9.5% of its permanent workforce — will have serious consequences for students, families, and school communities.

“Right now, our members are already stretched thin due to previous job reductions and increased workloads,” said Cutrone. “Cutting staff will increase workloads even more, reduce supports for students, and put more pressure on the workers who remain at the schools.”

The OSBCU says these cuts reflect a broader pattern driven by chronic underfunding of education in Ontario since 2018.

“What we’re seeing at CSC Providence 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 4299 and the OSBCU are calling on the province to properly fund education and on the CSC Providence 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 4299 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.”

CUPE’s  K-12 provincial bargaining committee in BC is pleased to announce  a tentative provincial framework agreement with the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association, BCPSEA.

“This was a tough round of bargaining, but our committee worked hard and was determined to get a fair deal for our members that was in line with other provincial public sector agreements,” says Paul Simpson, president of the K-12 Presidents Council. “This framework agreement recognizes the vital role school support workers play every day in our public schools and represents a step-forward in strengthening this province’s public education system for all students.”

Further details on the tentative framework agreement will be released when presented to the K-12 Presidents Council for endorsement next week. When endorsed, the 4-year provincial framework agreement, PFA, will then be incorporated into the local collective agreements negotiated by school support locals and their respective school districts. Members will ratify provisions of the framework as part of their local collective agreement.

This tentative agreement would not be possible without your engagement, support, and patience. The bargaining committee is confident this framework is a solid foundation for locals to address their own priorities at local table bargaining with their respective school districts. Provincial bargaining is a collective effort of members, activists, leaders and staff. Our solidarity leads to success at our local bargaining tables.