CUPE is holding a Rally for Safe Schools Wednesday and in a news release issued jointly on Tuesday by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation and CUPE they say a new study puts more weight behind their concerns over workplace violence and harassment in Saskatchewan.

The University of Ottawa study, Beyond the Breaking Point: Violence Against Saskatchewan’s Education Sector Workers, says 84 percent of education sector workers surveyed about the 2022-23 school year experienced at least one act, attempt or threat of physical force.  Eighty-seven per cent reported incidents of harassment.

STF President Samantha Becotte says violence and harassment are often the result of students not having the professional support they need.

According to the study almost three-quarters of respondents experienced one attempt of physical force from a student; 85 per cent witnessed at least one student-initiated act, attempt or threat against a co-worker; 78 per cent reported one or more instance of student-initiated harassment, such as refusal to respect authority, swearing and offensive remarks and more than half experienced harassment by a parent.

Karla Sastaunik, chairperson of CUPE Saskatchewan’s Education Workers’ Steering Committee says, “Chronic underfunding and cuts to staffing levels has left our members on the frontlines experiencing violence in schools on a regular basis.”

The Rally for Safe Schools is Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Saskatoon City Hall.  CUPE represents over 7,000 workers in the K-12 education system.