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Catholic school board workers around London, Ont., are sending a strong message to school trustees to stop contracting out custodial services.

On May 23, CUPE 4186 made a presentation to the board on the hidden costs of contracting out.

We want the board to know the full impact of contracting out,” said CUPE 4186 president Rosemary Van Niekerk. “The real costs include a loss of control and public accountability, further privatization and the lowering of workers’ living standards.”

The local represents over 800 custodial, chaplains, maintenance, office, clerical, support staff, librarians, technical staff, and educational assistants in 58 schools and at the Catholic Education Centre.

The board contracts out custodial services in nine out of 58 elementary and secondary schools in London and in the counties of Oxford, Elgin and Middlesex.

On March 27, London District Catholic School Board trustees approved plans to contract out custodial services at three other schools maintained by public workers.

Contracting out contradicts Catholic teachings by promoting two-tier employment and the exploitation of workers for profit,” added Fergus Bell, CUPE 4186 vice-president.