Several GTA school boards have outlined their contingency plans, or lack thereof, should thousands of Ontario education workers walk off the job later this week.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), who represent about 55,000 education staff, gave five days’ notice of a potential strike this weekend if a new deal isn’t reached with the government by Friday.
The union has not indicated if staff would engage in a full or partial strike, start with a work-to-rule campaign, or take some other course of action at that point.
The Ford government is planning to introduce legislation on Monday which would prevent a work stoppage, though it remains to be seen if they can get the legislation passed before Friday’s strike date.
What school boards are planning?
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) says they would be forced to cancel all classes for the duration of a strike starting Friday if there is a “full withdrawal of services.”
The Toronto District School Board said in a statement late Sunday it is continuing to assess the impact a full withdrawal of services will have on their schools. A special board meeting has been scheduled for Monday afternoon at which time an announcement about their future plans is expected.
Halton District School Board officials say they will be going to a mix of in-person and online learning for its elementary school students while secondary school students will continue in-person learning if there is a labour disruption.
“The HDSB is committed to doing everything we can to keep our schools open,” the school board said in a statement on its website Sunday. “To keep our schools open, HDSB elementary schools (Kindergarten – Grade 8) will alternate between in-person and remote learning beginning Friday, Nov. 4. HDSB elementary schools will be open for in-person learning on Friday, Nov. 4.”
“HDSB secondary schools (Grade 9-12) will continue to be open for in-person learning for all students each day. This includes Grade 7-12 schools (Aldershot, Burlington Central and Acton District).”
Both the Peel District School Board and Durham District School Board have advised they are monitoring the situation and will provide updates when there is further clarity. The boards are advising parents to be prepared for any possibility.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) says they plan to implement contingency measures to keep schools safely open as long as possible to reduce any impact on students.
Two other Ontario school boards have said they will close schools if education workers go on a full strike.
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board said last week that a “full withdrawal of service” by CUPE would mean they would not be able to ensure safe conditions for students and staff.
With files from John Marchesan
