Reminiscent to the days where students were put in virtual classrooms due to closures fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, schools in the London-area said similar plans will be put in place if education workers walk off the job on Friday.
On Monday, the Canadian Union of Public Education Employees (CUPE) said that despite word of legislation likely to be passed by the Ford government, which imposes a four-year contract on the 55,000 education workers such as custodians, librarians, educational assistants, and administrative staff, members will go ahead with a full-strike later this week.
CUPE reps said workers will walk off the job November 4, unless they come to an agreement with the Doug Ford government. Education Minister Stephen Lecce followed up with a bill aimed at preventing a strike which includes a notwithstanding clause to override some portions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a five-year term. He said CUPE forced the government’s hand after it issued the required five-day strike notice on Sunday as both sides remained far apart on fair wage agreements.
Following these developments, school boards across Ontario, including the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB), have announced that families should consider alternate child care options ahead of Friday in case the strike goes forward.
“If a full withdrawal of services occurs, all Thames Valley in-person students will move to independent/remote learning activities on Friday, November 4,” a statement from the TVDSB read. “Schools will not be open to students and transportation will not be running. In-person learning cannot operate safely, and devices cannot be deployed at this time without CUPE staff.”
Before and after school programs, Child Care Centres and EarlyON Family Centres at Thames Valley schools will also be shuttered if CUPE workers strike. The union represents around 2,500 full-time TVDSB employees and 1,000 part-time positions.
“Thames Valley CUPE staff support medical, toileting and/or behavioural needs, and take part in supervision duties and keep our schools safe, clean and operational,” the statement from the board added. “They also monitor the front door entrance, respond to parent/caregiver calls, process attendance, support and maintain our technology and assist with the safe arrival of students.”
CUPE workers make up approximately 1,300 of the LDCSB’s 3,500 employees. The board has not yet confirmed if it will go ahead with virtual learning in the event of a full-strike, but said it will keep families up to date when new information becomes available.
“Any decisions regarding LDCSB schools and services will be made in the interests of student and staff safety, security and well-being,” a statement from school officials read.
The TVDSB is the largest school board in southwestern Ontario, representing 133 elementary schools and 30 high schools. The LDCSB oversees 43 elementary schools, nine secondary schools and one Centre for Lifelong Learning.
