After launching a work-to-rule campaign earlier this week, the union representing 55,000 support staff at schools across Ontario is gearing up for a full-fledged strike. 
Unless there’s some progress in contract talks with the Ministry of Education, CUPE has set a strike deadline of October 7th.
The members, whose last contract expired at the end of August, include school secretaries, early childhood educators, educational assistants, and custodians, among others.
Both the St Clair Catholic and Lambton Kent District School Boards have issued notices to parents warning them of the potential job action.
“We appreciate that there may be significant impacts on your family. Families are encouraged to begin to explore alternate child care arrangements for next week, in the event strike action results in school closures.”
The two sides are expected back at the bargaining table on Friday.