Ocdsb cuts 69 unionized jobs as layoffs spread across units
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is cutting 69 unionized non-teaching positions at ocdsb, with layoffs set for Aug. 31 as the district faces a budget deficit and declining enrolment next year. Unions said at least 97 positions had been cut by 11 a.m. Tuesday, with some vacancies softening the number of employees who will leave.
Ocdsb staffing cuts
Melodie Gondek, president of the office, clerical and technician employees unit, said central positions had been declared surplus or redundant, producing a net loss of 48 jobs. She said, “While a small number of new roles are proposed, they largely consolidate existing work” and added that “The overall impact is significant downsizing driven by chronic government underfunding of staff and services required to keep the OCDSB functioning.”
Gondek also said, “Beyond service reductions, we are losing critical institutional knowledge and professional expertise.” The cuts build on last year’s attrition program to balance the budget, after the board moved into this year facing a deficit and lower enrolment numbers.
Philip Battison plant support
Philip Battison said another 49 plant support positions are being cut, including custodial, skilled trades and cafeteria jobs. About 15 of those positions are vacant, and the cuts take effect in September. Battison said the reduction represents about five per cent of his unit’s 730 members.
He said, “There is nowhere left to cut. I hear from workers every day that they’re exhausted. There are injuries every day because of the physical nature of the job.” Battison added, “Our members keep schools safe, hazard-free, welcoming and comfortable,” and said, “The added workload will affect our schools in a negative way.”
Chris Walsh enrolment
Chris Walsh said he does not anticipate cuts to the approximately 853 education assistants. He does expect a reduction in early childhood education staffing because the numbers are tied directly to enrolment, and he said kindergarten enrolment is down, which will result in a loss of classes across the district.
Corinne Lassaline said there will be no job cuts in the Professional Student Service Personnel unit this time. For affected staff, the immediate change is the loss of positions already counted in the district’s total, while vacancies delay some layoffs and leave the remaining reductions to work through the fall.
