In a press release published on July 8, CUPE 256 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) “strongly condemn” the Upper Grand District School Board’s (UGDSB) decision to cut staff; that was projected in their 2026-2027 budget.
CUPE 256 represents around 300 education workers and said UGDSB notified the union that 21 positions would be cut at the end of the school year.
The cuts include 20 caretakers and one maintenance position with possibly more to come as the year progresses.
Bill Foster, President of CUPE 256, said the decision does not appropriately reflect the needs of the system.
“Our caretakers and maintenance workers keep our schools safe, clean and functioning every day,” Foster said in the press release, “instead of reducing the frontline staff our schools depend on, the Board should be investing in the workers who keep schools running and students learning.”
According to CUPE 256 the Local and the school board did not come to agreement upon custodial staffing based on square footage calculations and said the reductions in staffing does not support the required services.
OBSCU said the frontline staff are on the short end of the stick in regards to “chronic” underfunding.
“These are the people who support students with special needs, maintain safe schools, and ensure schools function every day. Cutting these workers hurts everyone,” said OBSCU president, Joe Tigani.
“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,” Tigani said.
