CUPE 1317

Merritton Labour Day Parade-Please Join Us!

September 3, 2026September 2, 2026

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

Calandra’s bargaining bluster falls flat against dire challenges in publicly funded education

September 3, 2026September 1, 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.

Read the full statement here: https://ow.ly/pUIO50ZHElC

August 29th – Day of Action!

August 28, 2026

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.

We will be at Tremont Dr & Glendale Ave – Pen Centre for 11am! JOIN US!!!

All 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.

Inside the Fight! Info Hour Webinar

August 28, 2026August 27, 2026

Come join the OSBCU – CSCSO Webinar, Monday August 31st. There are two sessions available: 11am and 6pm.

Aug 31st is the day our contract expires – find out what’s next… let’s turn up the heat!

At this webinar you’ll have the opportunity to hear:

Highlighting from canvassing & political action this summer.
Bargaining Updates
End of Contract, what’s next?

Click HERE to Register or scan the QR Code. JOIN US!!

Swim, Splash, and Solidarity!

August 18, 2026

We had a successful and fun swimming and splash pad day!

It was wonderful to see so many community members, to chat with Wayne Gates MPP, and to have the support of local unions and council: CUPE 911 – Paramedics, Dispatchers & Occupational Therapists, CUPE 4207 – Brock University Academic Contract Workers, Niagara District CUPE Council, OSBCU – CSCSO, CUPE Local 2328 – Family and Children’s Services Niagara, CUPE 4156 – District School Board of Niagara Education Support Workers & CUPE Local 1317 – Niagara Catholic District School Board Education Support Workers!

Thank you for showing up, signing the petition, taking a lawn sign, and helping us to paint the province purple. It sure wouldn’t have been as fun if it wasn’t for Kool Jim’s Ice Cream Truck. Thank you for a great assortment of treats and awesome service!

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!