Halton public board works to keep schools open during strike in Oakville, Burlington, Milton
Published November 4, 2022 at 1:44 pm
The Halton public school board is doing everything it can to keep schools open or students in classes despite the CUPE wildcat strike in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.
The Halton District School Board has been sending emails to parents as the situation continues to evolve. The most recent, send last night, reminds parents that CUPE has fewer employees in the HDSB as compared to other boards.
“We are writing to update you on the current Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) labour situation,” said the email, signed by the boards director of Education, Curtis Ennis.
“Within the Halton District School Board (HDSB), CUPE represents custodial staff in elementary and secondary schools. It does not represent educational assistants, early childhood educators or school support staff as it does in some other Ontario school boards.”
CUPE has gone on strike in defiance of provincial legislation officially passed this morning that suspends their Charter of Canada rights and freedoms. And they’re expected to stay on strike until the province returns to the negotiating table.
“HDSB secondary schools will continue to be open for in-person learning for all students each day. This includes Grade 7-12 schools (Aldershot, Burlington Central and Acton District). Under the current HDSB contract, secondary schools are permitted to use contract custodial services to maintain services in secondary schools. This means that secondary schools will remain open every day during CUPE job action.”
Videos
At the elementary level, if the job action lasts beyond today (Friday, Nov. 4), the plan is to alternate between in-person and remote learning on a daily basis. So kids would learn at home on Monday, Nov. 7, and be in class on Tuesday.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising