The London region’s two school boards say their schools will close on Monday if unionized education workers follow through on their strike threat.
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) both posted announcements Thursday night strongly advising parents to make alternate arrangements for children.
“Thames Valley will not be able to ensure student safety as more than 3,400 of our employees are CUPE members who will not be reporting to work if an agreement is not reached.”
The TVDSB said it recognizes the significant impact this has on families, staff, and school communities.
“If a settlement is reached, we will communicate with families as quickly as possible when students may return to class.”
The following TVDSB facilities and activities will also be closed or cancelled if a strike occurs Monday.
- Before and After School programs
- EarlyOn Centres
- Family Centre Argyle
- All events scheduled at TVDSB buildings unless otherwise notified
- Community Use Facilities unless otherwise notified
The London District Catholic School Board said the cancellation affects all elementary schools, all secondary schools as well as adult, alternative and continuing education programs. The board announced the following programs will be affected in the event of a strike:
- All sports and other extracurricular events are cancelled.
- The board office will remain open
- All before and after school programs are cancelled
- All Community Use of Schools programs/events are cancelled
- Daycare centres located at LDCSB schools will be open/closed on a case by case basis. Daycare centres will be in contact with their families with additional information.
- Family Centres located at LDCSB schools will be open/closed on a case by case basis.
London’s French-language catholic school board, Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence, also announced on Thursday that it would be closing doors if a strike were to a occur.
Meantime, London’s French-language public school board, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, plans to remain open regardless of whether strike action occurs.
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Several other boards, including the Toronto District School Board, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and the Windsor Catholic School Board also said its schools will close.
CUPE represents 55,000 custodians clerical workers and early childhood educators, who gave notice on Wednesday about the intent to strike.
Parents gear up for a strike
Global News Radio 980 CFPL spoke with parents outside Lord Roberts Public School during their Friday morning school run.
One mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said it helps to be a stay-at-home parent if her children have to stay home from school.
Her biggest worry lies with her two children who are in senior kindergarten and grade 1.
“They’re just starting to get into the swing of things, especially my daughter in S.K.,” the mother said.
“I hate the fact that she’s going to be out of school,” said Chancey Rennie, another parent from Lord Roberts.
“I had the some worry over the summertime. Is she going to remember all the French numbers and alphabet that she only learned two months ago,” she added.
“I’m only sticking to one week and hopefully it’s not going to be longer than that.”
Workers began a work-to-rule campaign on Monday as confusion mounted about when their union and the Ontario government would go back to the bargaining table after earlier talks failed.
Custodians have stopped cleaning hallways and emptying garbage cans outside schools, clerical workers have stopped finding replacements for absent staff, and education workers have stopped working overtime.
When asked whether or not the government would table back-to-school legislation, Education Minister Stephen Lecce would not give a definite answer when asked by Global News on Wednesday. However, he said historically it’s better to come to a deal voluntarily.
Talks are set to resume at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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