CUPE 4299 says up to 50 education workers will lose their jobs at CSC Providence by the end of the current school year. The union, which represents about 850 full‑ and part‑time members between Windsor and Owen Sound, says it was notified by the Ontario French Catholic school board of the job cuts. CUPE 4299 represents education workers including educational assistants, child and youth workers, registered early childhood educators, secretarial and IT staff, custodial workers, social workers and other non‑teaching employees. The union says the layoffs would account for about 9.5 per cent of its permanent workforce and warns the cuts will have serious consequences for students, families and school communities. Anthony Cutrone, president of CUPE 4299, said the layoffs are the result of a $3.3‑million funding deficit and came as a surprise. “At the beginning of the school year, we were told that this wasn’t going to be happening,” Cutrone said. “All of a sudden, we’re in a position where we’re losing jobs. Over the past two years — in 2025‑26 alone — we lost 12.4 full‑time‑equivalent positions, and 10.5 of those were educational assistants.” Cutrone said the union wanted members to hear the news as early as possible and has begun discussions with CUPE National. “We’re going to devise a plan,” he said. “These meetings have been ongoing, so hopefully the board and the Ford government take us seriously and start funding school boards properly to ensure students are well taken care of.” Cutrone said the situation has created fear among workers and urged parents to speak out. “Our message to parents is to please support us, talk to your school boards and trustees and ask what is going on,” he said. “We cannot lose any more.” He said it is unclear how many workers will be affected locally, but noted most of the union’s membership is in Windsor‑Essex because it has the highest number of schools. CUPE 4299 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions are calling on the province to properly fund education and for CSC Providence to reverse the cuts. AM800 News has requested comment and confirmation from CSC Providence but had not received a response by publication time.
