CUPE Local 1317

09/03/2026

Hope to see you there💜

09/01/2026

This morning, Ontario’s education unions issued a joint statement:
Teachers and education workers will welcome students back next week without new contracts, despite months of urging the government to begin bargaining early.

Minister Calandra repeatedly claimed he was “optimistic” agreements would be reached before Labour Day. That optimism was misplaced — and out of touch with the realities in our schools.

The Ford government is attempting to centralize bargaining and move long‑standing local issues to the provincial table. These changes would strip local autonomy, weaken the ability of locals to address community needs, and concentrate power at Queen’s Park at a time when publicly funded education is already under immense strain.

Ontario’s 275,000+ education workers deserve a government that respects their expertise, values their work, and negotiates in good faith.
Our students deserve better.
Our communities deserve better.
Public education deserves better.

AEFO OECTA - Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Elementary Educators Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF)

Read the full statement here: https://ow.ly/pUIO50ZHElC
Lien vers le communiqué:https://cscso.ca/2026/09/01/les-belles-paroles-de-calandra-sur-les-negociations-ne-tiennent-pas-la-route-face-aux-defis-criants-de-leducation-financee-par-les-fonds-publics/

08/31/2026

Merritton Labour Day Parade-Please Join Us! CUPE 1317 & CUPE 4156 will be participating in the Merritton Labour Day Parade this year, and we are inviting members, family, and friends to walk with us! Parade Day is Monday, September 7, 2026! This is a great opportunity to show our community that we are proud CUPE Education Workers and proud of the important work we do every day in our schools. As many of you know, our collective agreement expires today, August 31, 2026. We will be in a legal strike position. It is important that our community understands who CUPE Education Workers are, the vital services we provide to students, and why we deserve safe working conditions, respect, and fair compensation. Join your Executive members as we walk together in the parade. Participants will meet at Delta Bingo (124 Bunting Road, St. Catharines) and walk to the Merritton Community Centre. As a thank you for your support, all CUPE 1317 members and their family or friends who participate will receive a free meal on us at the Merritton Lions food booth at the conclusion of the parade. Wear your purple, and we'll provide the CUPE flags and signs! We have lots of candy to hand out to the kids, as well as some swag and info flyers.
Please arrive by 10:30, the parade begins promptly at 11:00.
Let's create a sea of purple and show the community that CUPE Education Workers are an essential part of our schools and deserve a fair deal.
Please register using the following link and let us know how many people will be joining you:

https://forms.gle/DTweZMjGb4w7poZS9

We look forward to walking with you on Labour Day!

08/31/2026

Aug. 31st: our collective agreement expires — along with agreements for 275,000 education workers across Ontario.

Your working conditions stay in place, but job security protections don’t. Boards are already cutting staff.

We need every member informed.
👉 Register for OSBCU’s Inside the Fight Webinar — 11am or 6pm on Aug. 31st.
https://ow.ly/4fAR50ZFFPj

Hear updates on bargaining, what parents told us this summer, and the next steps in our fight for wages, benefits, staffing, and respect.

Solidarity is our power. 💜✊

08/29/2026

Fight Ford Rally for Education with CUPE Local 1317OSBCU - CSCSOCUPE 4156Niagara District CUPE CouncilWayne GatesGates Wayne MPP ETFO Niagara

08/25/2026

All CUPE Local 1317 members who would like to wear their purple T-shirt and join our local at this rally, please meet near Boston Pizza. We will have some flags available.

⏳ Four days.
On Saturday, August 29, education workers and communities across Ontario are walking out the door together — one province, one voice, standing up for public education. ✊
Our contract expires on August 31. We know what's at stake. Find the rally in your community and make the plan now: who's driving, who's bringing the signs, who's coming with you. 🚗📢 💜
📍 Full list of locations: https://ow.ly/NV6h50ZFb1t

08/25/2026

Come join the OSBCU - CSCSO Webinar, Monday August 31, the day our contract expires and find out what’s next…  let’s turn up the heat!🔥 https://us.list-manage.com/pQ3sAb9PDbd?e=4075a6d87f&c2id=05217e10ce952a493cd265254b83c827

08/20/2026

✊ We built this. We'll defend it.

On Saturday, August 29, education workers and communities across Ontario are standing together, one province, one voice, one message: public education is worth fighting for.

Bring a friend. Bring your local. Show up for the students, the schools, and each other.

📍 protestdougford.com

CUPE Ontario Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)

08/19/2026