TORONTO – The union representing school support workers at Ontario’s public schools has given five days notice that it will strike Monday.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 55,000 custodians, secretaries, early childhood educators and educational assistants, still plans to bargain with the Council of Trustees’ Associations through the weekend.
But the walkout will happen Monday if a deal isn’t reached.
CUPE Ontario School Board Council of Unions President Laura Walton says the union had hoped this week’s work-to-rule campaign would have forced the other side to get together.
But Walton says school boards have been using the labour disruption to justify cancelling programs or having parents do the work of CUPE members. “Across the province, boards are cutting services and putting students at risk,” she said.
The Upper Canada District School Board postponed all field trips, sporting events and after school activities. After hours community use of schools was also cancelled this week.
Workers have been without a contract since Aug. 31