Education Workers to "Paint the Province Purple" for Publicly Funded Education: Province-wide Day of Action Calls on MPPs to Stand Up for Students, Education Workers, and Schools

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, June 6, CUPE education workers from communities across Ontario will come together for a province-wide day of action to "Paint the Province Purple" in support of a strong, well-funded education system.

CUPE-OSBCU education workers will be canvassing door-to-door in Progressive Conservative MPP ridings across the province, speaking directly with Ontarians about the realities facing publicly funded education and the urgent need for greater investment in students and school communities.

Education workers will also be distributing lawn and window signs featuring the message "Together for Publicly Funded Education," a campaign developed collaboratively by ETFO, OSSTF, AEFO, OECTA, and the OSBCU demonstrating a united front.

Ontario's publicly funded education system is facing an understaffing crisis. Students are not receiving the supports they need, and over the last two months alone, more than 800 CUPE education workers have been told they will be laid off at the end of the school year.

"Education workers are knocking on doors because parents and community members deserve to know what's really happening in our schools," said Joe Tigani, President of the OSBCU. "Students are not getting the supports they need, education workers are stretched beyond their limits, and hundreds of workers are facing layoffs despite growing needs in our classrooms."

The province-wide day of action comes as education workers prepare to return to the bargaining table with the provincial government following the filing of notice to bargain earlier this week.

"This is a crucial moment for public education in Ontario," said Tigani. "As we head into bargaining, we're calling on local MPPs to step up and advocate for students, education workers, and school communities. We need investments that address understaffing, protect services, and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed."

Across Ontario, CUPE-OSBCU locals are organizing canvasses, community outreach events, and visibility actions to engage parents, caregivers, workers, and community members in conversations about the future of publicly funded education on Saturday and throughout the summer.

Well funded and well staffed school boards matter to every community in Ontario. Together, education workers and community members are sending a clear message: Ontario's students deserve better.

rjd/cope 491