School Support Workers are a core part of Manitoba's schools.
They are educational assistants, library and office staff, custodians, bus drivers, and lunch supervisors who keep students learning and schools running.
They help students manage learning needs, behavior challenges, mobility issues, and emotional regulation.
However, School support workers are repeatedly left vulnerable to violence and unsafe working conditions.
This problem is severe and escalating. Manitoba officially considers schools a high-risk industry. Data shows education workers suffer 8.2 injuries per 100 full-time workers, including 4.2 time-loss injuries.
Real people are missing work and suffering physical and emotional damage. Survey data and public reports document reveal instances of biting, kicking, and verbal abuse directed at school staff.
CUPE Manitoba represents over 6,100 school support workers and advocates directly for workplace safety. We are leaders in the area.
In March 2025, CUPE helped push through Bill 29, the Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act.
This legislation strengthened protections for workers reporting safety concerns and created stricter penalties for employers hiding serious injuries. CUPE also successfully fought unfair wage freezes all the way to the Supreme Court, forcing the government to withdraw the legislation.
To treat workplace violence as the health and safety crisis it is, CUPE demands immediate action from Manitoba school divisions and the provincial government. We need:
Workplaces entirely free from violence and injury.
Proper staffing levels so School support workers never face unsafe situations alone.
Mandatory training for real-life classroom conditions, including de-escalation methods.
Transparent tracking and clear reporting systems when violence occurs.
Investments dedicated to violence prevention.
Sign the petition: School Support Workers deserve to be safe at work.