Some schools in Burlington, Oakville and Milton may close Friday amid job action

Halton | Burlington | Halton Hills | Milton | Education | Politics |

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Published November 1, 2022 at 1:33 pm

halton catholic district school board
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Some schools in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and across Halton Region may close Friday if education workers strike.

Plans are fluctuating as the provincial government and CUPE battle over job action.

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce tabled legislation on Monday (Oct. 31) to block a strike by imposing a four-year contract on about 55,000 education workers. Under the proposed legislation workers could face fines of up to $4,000 per day if they strike.

Meanwhile, CUPE says its members will walk off the job on Friday despite the legislation. What will happen after Friday is not known. Laura Walton, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employee’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions, said whether workers continue to protest after Friday “will be left up to what happens,” according to a post on CUPE’s website.

On Sunday (Oct. 30), the Halton District School Board announced a plan to alternate between in-person and remote learning for elementary students (Kindergarten to Grade 8). Secondary school students would not be impacted.

But yesterday, the board said elementary and secondary schools will remain open for in-person learning each day. They added things could change.

“Please be aware this remains a fluid and changing situation. The HDSB continues to monitor developments daily and decisions will be made accordingly,” a statement on the website reads.

The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB), however, plans to close all schools on Friday (Nov. 4) in the event of a strike, the board’s latest update on Monday (Oct. 31) reads.

While CUPE represents custodial staff in elementary and secondary schools in the HDSB, the union represents many more staff members at the HCDSB including:

  • Custodial staff
  • Designated early childhood educators
  • Educational assistants
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors
  • Information technology (IT) technicians
  • Language instruction for newcomers to Canada (LINC) instructors
  • Library technicians
  • School and board administrative office staff

The Board will move to remote asynchronous instruction on this day, and schools will reach out to families directly to assess technology/device needs.

“The decision to close our schools is in keeping with many other Catholic Boards across the province who have a large portion of their employee groups represented by CUPE,” the board notes.

We regret that this will pose challenges for parents and guardians who may have to find childcare arrangements, however closing schools is the only way to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Our CUPE staff provide a number of critical supports and essential services in our schools. Without their support, we cannot maintain a safe learning environment for our students.”

Halton Catholic District School Board has 46 elementary, nine secondary and four continuing education facilities in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.

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