The Ford government moved to block the strike plans of 55,000 CUPE-backed school employees.
Education minister Steven Lecce rose in the legislature Monday to table the “Keeping Students in School Act”. This, after the union representing school support staff including custodians, early childhood educators, education assistants, and administrators announced its intentions to the province on Sunday.
If passed, the bill would also impose a new 4-year collective bargaining agreement on the workers.
On Sunday, CUPE gave the government the required 5-day notice to begin job action on Friday. The legislation is expected to pass on Thursday.
Despite the legislation, the union says education workers still plan to stage a province-wide strike unless there is progress at the bargaining table. Many school boards, including the Lambton Kent and St Clair Catholic District School Boards, say if job action goes forward, schools will be closed on Friday.
“Student safety is the top priority for the LKDSB. If the strike proceeds, CUPE staff will not report to work,” LKDSB officials say in a statement. “In our schools and across our system, CUPE represents custodians, early childhood educators, educational assistants, secretaries, library and computer technicians and other school-based and central staff members. A full strike would mean none of these important supports for schools would be in place and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our schools.”
“In the event of a strike, none of these important supports for schools would be in place and the Board will not be able to safely operate our schools,” St Clair Catholic District School Board Director of Education Scott Johnson says in a letter to parents. “St. Clair Catholic continues to closely monitor the situation and develop contingency plans as necessary.”
Parents and caregivers are advised to await updates from their respective schools and school board as the week progresses but have a plan in place should children be out of class on Friday.
