Education Workers Urge Early Bargaining Amid Funding Crisis

Education workers from the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board and the Algoma District School Board are advocating for early collective bargaining with the Ontario government. The Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU), alongside CUPE 16 and CUPE 4148, is calling on Education Minister Stephen Lecce to address the ongoing issues of severe underfunding and chronic staffing shortages affecting schools across the province, particularly in Sault Ste. Marie.

Joe Tigani, President of the OSBCU, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “There can be no ‘business as usual’ while education workers and students bear the brunt of chronic underfunding.” The unions argue that immediate bargaining is essential to stabilize schools and alleviate the staffing crisis, which has reached critical levels.

The unions have outlined specific demands, urging the province to increase staffing in all schools, enhance support for students, and ensure necessary improvements to Ontario’s publicly funded education system. According to a press release, the current environment is untenable for both students and education workers, who face mounting pressures due to insufficient resources.

Concerns are escalating as school boards warn that thousands of education workers could face layoffs by September 2026, coinciding with the expiration of the current collective agreement on August 30, 2025. This potential reduction in workforce comes at a time when schools are already struggling to meet the needs of their students, with years of inadequate funding contributing to the crisis.

In June 2025, the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board eliminated 70 education assistant positions following the loss of funding from Jordan’s Principal. This program was designed to provide timely care for First Nations children, free from delays caused by jurisdictional disputes.

Crystal Krauter, President of CUPE 4148, expressed grave concerns about the current state of education support, saying, “CUPE education workers at HSCDSB are being pushed to the breaking point by chronic underfunding and ongoing staffing losses.” Krauter highlighted that while layoffs of Educational Assistants are an annual occurrence, the situation has deteriorated significantly since the loss of Jordan’s Principal support. She noted the overwhelming stress on remaining staff, who are facing increased workloads and complex student needs without adequate assistance.

The issue of safety within schools is also escalating, with reports of violence reaching unprecedented levels. Krauter pointed out that many workers are filing claims with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) due to injuries sustained from student aggression or the physical demands of their roles. “This is not a board failure — it is a government failure,” she stated.

The OSBCU has reported that the Ford government has reduced per-pupil funding by $1.4 billion for the 2025-26 school year, exacerbating the challenges faced by educational institutions. As the expiration of agreements that limit school boards’ ability to cut jobs approaches, the potential for mass layoffs looms large unless new agreements can be reached through collective bargaining.

In light of these developments, education workers are urging immediate action from the provincial government to address the funding crisis and ensure the sustainability of education in Ontario. The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for students and staff as the new school year approaches.