The Canadian union representing thousands of public sector employees says frontline workers are “deeply concerned” for the safety of children with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) planning to cut hundreds of lunchroom supervisors for the 2022-23 academic year.
The president of the Toronto Education Workers/CUPE Local 4400, which represents approximately 17,000 education workers, said the decision to approve these job cuts would lead to “serious safety issues” across the TDSB.
“At a time when the TDSB should be hiring more lunchroom supervisors, these bosses who are up for re-election this fall are talking about significant cuts,” president John Weatherup said.
“There are serious safety issues in our schools, so their cuts would be a major step in the wrong direction. The risks that this board and the provincial government are willing to take with kids’ lives is shocking.”
According to CUPE, the TDSB plans to dismiss 300 workers — mostly women. He adds that, typically, lunchroom supervisors work about an hour per day.
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Weatherup says with an upsurge in violent crimes at TDSB schools, including the recent arrest of a 17-year-old who allegedly shot a student in a targeted act, the presence of lunchroom supervisors is needed more than ever.
“Lunchroom supervision is now the first line of defense to prevent violence,” Weatherup continued. “The TDSB’s lunchroom supervisor cuts will do nothing to address avoidable assaults on students, teachers, and other school staff.”
CityNews has reached out to the TDSB for comment.
Last week, TDSB chair, Alexander Brown, called on provincial parties to devote more resources to better support Toronto schools with “adequate and stable funding.”
Brown said the TDSB is projecting a deficit of $52.2M for the 2022-23 school year, primarily due to COVID-19 pandemic costs and falling enrollment. The board Chair said that if more funding isn’t earmarked, further job cuts are to be expected.
“The families of Toronto need to know that the party they vote for in the upcoming election will recognize the financial challenges that the TDSB has faced to keep students and staff safe during the pandemic,” Brown said.
“We need a commitment that adequate and stable funding will be provided so that students can continue to have access to the learning, well-being, and mental health supports they need next year and in the years ahead.”