Talks between the provincial government and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) broke down earlier today, and despite passing legislation to prevent CUPE labour action, education support workers will strike starting tomorrow.
The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) has stated that all school buildings will be closed on Friday, Nov. 4, unless information that the job action will not proceed is received by 6:30 a.m. Halton District School Board (HDSB), on the other hand, will be open for in-person learning tomorrow. Despite rescinding their contingency plan for elementary school students of alternating in-person and remote learning on October 31, HDSB has now stated that this plan will be reinstated if the strike continues beyond tomorrow; if this happens, HDSB elementary students will learn remotely on Monday, Nov. 7, in-person on Tues., Nov. 8, and so on.
HDSB secondary schools will continue to be open for in-person learning, as the current contract allows for contract custodial services in secondary schools.
The provincial government used the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to pass the anti-strike legislation, a move that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called “wrong,” as it goes against the rights and freedoms of workers. Others have also condemned the action, including the Ontario Federation of Labour, and have called for their members to support CUPE workers’ picket lines.
