CUPE 4186 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) strongly condemn the London District Catholic School Board’s decision to move ahead with significant staffing cuts despite increasing enrolment, growing student needs, and increased provincial funding.
The board recently confirmed that it is proposing the elimination of 4 Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE) positions, 11 Chaplain positions, up to 3 cafeteria staff positions, and 18.8 FTE Elementary Library Technician positions.
CUPE 4186 represents education workers at the London District Catholic School Board, including DECEs, library technicians, cafeteria staff, and other frontline workers who support students and ensure schools remain safe and effective learning environments.
“These proposed cuts are devastating, completely unacceptable, and entirely unnecessary,” said Tracey Cooper, President of CUPE 4186. “Our schools are already understaffed, and students, families, and workers are feeling the impact every day. Eliminating positions that provide direct support to students will only make conditions worse.”
The board’s decision comes despite receiving increased provincial funding for the upcoming school year. Core Education Funding is set to increase by 5.5%, well above the provincial average, while enrolment across the board is projected to grow by 4.9%.
“More students mean a greater need for staff, not less,” Cooper said. “When funding and enrolment are both increasing, there is simply no justification for cutting the very workers who help students succeed. These cuts are not being driven by student needs. The board had options available to maintain these positions and strengthen supports for students. Instead, it has chosen to reduce services and increase pressure on an already overworked workforce.”
CUPE 4186 is also sounding the alarm over the proposed elimination of nearly 19 library technician positions, which will significantly reduce student access to library services, literacy supports, and learning resources. In addition, the board is pursuing plans to contract out chaplain and cafeteria services.
“These workers are valued members of our school communities. Contracting out these positions reduces job security and weakens the relationships students and families rely on.”
The OSBCU says these cuts reflect a broader pattern driven by chronic underfunding of education in Ontario since 2018.
“What we’re seeing at the London District Catholic School Board 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 4186 and the OSBCU are calling on the province to properly fund education and on the London District Catholic School Board to immediately reverse these proposed job cuts.
“Students deserve safe, supported learning environments,” Tigani said. “That starts with investing in the workers who make that possible. The OSBCU stands behind CUPE 4186 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.”
