A handful of Ontario school boards have confirmed they will close their schools if the province’s education workers stop work this Friday.
On Sunday, CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions filed its five-day strike notice.
Next Friday, about 55,000 early childhood educators, teaching assistants, administrative staff and janitors in English, French and Catholic school boards across Ontario could go on strike if no collective agreement is reached.
Four school boards have detailed their plans so far for Friday, should the strike occur.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCSDB) is the first in the city to share what could happen to its 195 schools in the event of a strike. In an email to parents and guardians on Sunday, the council said it would close its schools “to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our students and staff”.
Closing schools would also void permits for special events, evening and Saturday classes, and all field trips for the duration of the strike.
Childcare services are currently being worked out between the TCSDB and its providers, but parents are “encouraged” to make their own arrangements.
“We understand that this news is difficult and can be stressful for families and their children, especially after the circumstances of the pandemic,” read the Oct. 30 letter.
“However, please be aware that the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) does not control decisions regarding the strike or its remedy, as negotiations are centralized at the provincial level.
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) has revealed that it will offer a mix of in-person and online learning for its K-8 students. Friday will start with in-person learning, then after the Monday weekend, students will have home-based lessons, with the schedule alternating between the two each following day.
HDSB secondary students will continue to attend classes at the school each day, which includes grades 7-12 schools in Aldershot, Burlington Central and Acton District.
Outside of the GTA, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board and the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board both confirmed in separate emails to parents on Friday that they would not be able to keep schools open if all CUPE members were on strike. The two school boards alone oversee more than 100 schools.
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) said its “top priority is to negotiate a fair, fully funded collective agreement in the best interest of our students.”
OPBSA President Cathy Abraham confirmed that the board will attend the emergency mediation session on Sunday afternoon with CUPE, government negotiators and all other affected parties in downtown Toronto.
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With files from Chris Fox and Joanna Lavoie of CP24, and The Canadian Press
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