Education Workers Urge Early Bargaining Amid Staffing Crisis

Education workers from two regional school boards in Ontario are pressing the provincial government to initiate collective bargaining without delay. The Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU), along with CUPE 16 and CUPE 4148, which represent workers in the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board and the Algoma District School Board, assert they are prepared to begin negotiations.

The unions emphasize that ongoing underfunding and chronic staffing shortages are negatively impacting both students and education workers across Ontario, particularly in areas such as Sault Ste. Marie and the broader Algoma District. “There can be no ‘business as usual’ while education workers and students bear the brunt of chronic underfunding,” stated Joe Tigani, President of the OSBCU. The unions describe early bargaining as essential for stabilizing schools and addressing the staffing crisis before it escalates further.

The unions are urging the provincial government to arrive at the bargaining table equipped to enhance staffing levels in all schools. They seek improved support for students and necessary advancements in publicly funded education in Ontario. The press release highlights the urgency of these negotiations, as school boards have warned that thousands of education workers could face layoffs following the expiration of current collective agreements in August 2026.

In June 2025, the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board eliminated 70 education assistant positions due to a loss of funding linked to Jordan’s Principal, a program intended to ensure First Nations children receive timely support. “CUPE education workers at HSCDSB are being pushed to the breaking point by chronic underfunding and ongoing staffing losses,” remarked Crystal Krauter, President of CUPE 4148. She added that the situation has worsened since the loss of Jordan’s Principal support, with many staff facing overwhelming workloads while trying to support students with complex needs.

Krauter further noted, “Violence in our schools is at an all-time high, with many WSIB claims submitted every week, as workers are injured due to student aggression or heavy physical demands. This is not a board failure — it is a government failure.” The OSBCU points to substantial funding cuts, stating that the Ford government has reduced per-pupil funding by $1.4 billion for the 2025-26 school year.

As agreements that currently limit school boards’ ability to reduce education jobs will expire on August 30, there is concern that without successful negotiations, mass layoffs could occur at the beginning of the next school year in September. The unions are advocating for immediate action to prevent further deterioration of the educational environment and to ensure adequate support for both students and staff.