The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) has raised concerns over a sharp increase in student-related aggression against support staff in Winnipeg School Division, calling for stronger workplace safety measures and additional resources to protect workers and students.
Data released by the union on Friday, October 16, shows that reported incidents of student-related aggression against non-teaching employees rose from 884 in the 2022–2023 school year to 1,925 in 2025–2026. This represents an increase of approximately 118 per cent.
MGEU president Kyle Ross described the figures as “jaw-dropping,” saying workers face incidents that include hitting, kicking, biting, scratching and other forms of physical aggression.
Educational Assistants Face Most Incidents
According to the union, educational assistants (EAs) account for the overwhelming majority of reported aggression incidents involving support staff, with approximately 99 per cent of cases reported by EAs year after year.
Hitting was the most frequently reported form of aggression in the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 school years. Data cited by the Winnipeg Free Press indicates that staff members were hit at least 855 times between September 2025 and June 2026, an increase of 224 incidents from the previous school year.
The union says the figures raise questions about whether staffing levels, training and available resources are sufficient to meet students’ needs while ensuring employees can work safely.
Ross has called for more educational assistants, better training in de-escalation techniques and improved support for staff working directly with students who require additional assistance.
He also emphasized the importance of allowing employees to build consistent relationships with the students they support, noting that familiarity and trust can help staff respond more effectively to challenging situations.
Province and School Division Respond
Manitoba Education Minister Tracy Schmidt said the provincial government recognizes the importance of investing in staff to support students and maintain safe schools.
According to a statement reported by CBC, the province provided funding in 2026 to hire 830 additional educational assistants, while acknowledging that more work remains.
Winnipeg School Division superintendent Matt Henderson said the division has added 300 educational assistants over the past three years and taken steps to reduce class sizes. He emphasized the importance of supporting school teams and understanding what students may be communicating through their behaviour.
Union Calls for Stronger Workplace Protections
The MGEU is urging the province to ensure appropriate staffing levels, provide relevant training and strengthen enforcement of workplace violence-prevention requirements.
Researchers have also warned that school violence is a complex issue affecting educators, support workers and students. Limited resources, staffing pressures and unmet student needs may contribute to the challenges facing schools, although no single cause explains every incident.
The union says improving safety requires coordinated action to protect employees while ensuring students receive the support they need.
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