Approximately 55,000 education support workers walked out of schools and onto picket across Ontario on Friday, November 4, 2022.
The political protests spanned across Ontario, including members of CUPE Local 1238, who picketed outside of MPP Trevor Jones’ office in Chatham.
The rally sparked a traffic advisory from the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
“Use caution when driving in the Riverview Drive, Keil Drive and Richmond Street block,” Sgt. Lynette Hodder, public information officer, said in an email to the media on Friday morning.
“There are a large number of protestors walking in the area. We are working with the organizers to keep the roadways clear and safe.”
Here are some photos posted online by CUPE Local 1238:
Unions stand in solidarity
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) officials say their entire membership, which is approximately 715,000 across the country, stands with them.
“Ontario works because of CUPE members,” union leadership said in a join statement on Friday.
“We keep hospitals running. We maintain roads and highways. We power the energy sector. And our 55,000 education workers make sure that students in Ontario learn, thrive, and grow. Custodians, maintenance workers, office staff, educational assistants, early childhood educators, library staff and others – the workers who keep our schools running – took on the most powerful bully in the province. The government threatened them. They tried to break their spirits with lowball offers that would push workers further into poverty and fail to meet the needs of students. Then they passed backwards legislation completely trampling on our Charter rights.”
CUPE officials added: “Still, education workers remained steadfast in their fight for what is right and what is just. And, for that and so much more, education workers need to know they’re not alone. CUPE workers in every sector and from every province are with Ontario education workers. We’re united because this is a fight for all workers’ rights. We know our worth.”
CUPE officials say “worker power” reshaped the country.
“Unions set the standard for working conditions, raised the floor of wages, and won the right to bargain and strike,” union officials say.
“We did it in the face of violence. We did it while members were jailed. We know where we come from – and we are prepared to do it all again. We have faced challenges before. We’ve been undervalued. We’ve been told we’re asking for too much. And now we all face the threat of having our Charter rights stripped away when a government finds it inconvenient to negotiate fairly.”
CUPE officials added: “This is a historic moment for the labour movement. It’s a moment that will determine what kind of union we are for years to come. We are so proud that our union, 715,000 workers strong, is rising to the challenge. The Ford government has forgotten what worker power looks like. CUPE members are going to remind them.”
Minister Lecce responds
Stephen Lecce, the Minister of Education in Ontario, said on social media the Provincial Government “will use every tool at our disposal” to keep schools open and end this illegal strike
“Children should not pay the price for an education union’s desire for higher pay… it’s just not right,” Lecce tweeted.
The Minister also tweeted an interview he did with @CP24 on Friday as well. Watch the video, below:
Why is CUPE imposing further hardship on kids when they have been through so much?
End the illegal strike. pic.twitter.com/rkRixqKXAJ
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) November 4, 2022
The Ontario government introduced the ‘Keeping Students in Class Act’ earlier this week and passed it on Thursday.
The legislation will impose a four-year collective agreement with CUPE education workers.
More details, here.
Schools preparing for online learning
The local school boards announced on Friday that schools would shift to online learning, if the labour disruption continues into next week.
“At the time of sending this message, the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has not been informed that Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1238 staff intend to report to work on Monday, November 7, 2022,” wrote John Howitt, Director of Education for the LKDSB, in a letter to parent on Friday.
“LKDSB believes CUPE 1238 staff are likely to continue to participate in a provincial political demonstration with full withdrawal of service. It is possible the political demonstration will continue beyond Monday and into the week of November 7-11, 2022. As such, important supports for schools would not be in place and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our schools.”
Howitt said in the event the political demonstration continues on Monday, November 7, 2022, all LKDSB schools will continue to be closed to students on Monday, November 7, 2022 and for the duration of the political demonstration.
“Students will transition to asynchronous remote learning on Monday, November 7,” Howitt said.
“Asynchronous lessons do not include a live component and may be completed when students are available to access the lessons. Teachers will notify students of when they will be available for live support daily. All teachers have been asked to develop an online presence to facilitate student learning. Students will receive instructions about their transition to asynchronous virtual learning as per their typical means of school communication. We understand that due to families’ child care needs or access to devices and reliable Internet service, not all students may be able to participate in asynchronous remote learning. Senior Administration is reviewing this as part of its planning for the week of November 7-11. Due to limitations related to the full withdrawal of services by CUPE staff, LKDSB devices will only be distributed if the school closures are prolonged.”
Howitt said any students who need access to personal items (e.g. eyeglasses, medications, etc.) left at school, or materials needed to participate in asynchronous remote learning, should contact the classroom teacher to make arrangements through the school office.
“LKDSB elementary and secondary virtual learning programming will continue as scheduled, as well as off-site and online learning programs,” Howitt said.
“In our schools and across our system, CUPE represents custodians, early childhood educators, educational assistants, secretaries, library and computer technicians and other school-based and central staff members.”
On Thursday, November 3, 2022, the Government of Ontario passed legislation called the Keeping Students in Class Act, which removes the right to a legal strike and legislates a four year provincial collective agreement for CUPE education workers, Howitt added.
“Please continue to monitor the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information including updates up to and including the morning of Monday, November 7, 2022,” he said.
“If you have a specific question about your child, please contact your school principal. If you have any mental health and well-being concerns about your child, please contact the LKDSB Mental Wellness Team (MentalWellness@lkdsb.net) or contact the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free).”
Howitt added: “The LKDSB is hopeful for a resolution in a timely manner. The LKDSB will continue to update parents/guardians and all stakeholders as soon as new information becomes available.”
Scott Johnson, Director of Education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, said they continue to be hopeful that a negotiated settlement between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario government can be reached at the earliest opportunity.
“However, unless the Board receives notification that the issue is resolved, we will proceed on the assumption that the labour dispute will continue into next week,” Johnson wrote in a letter to parent on Friday.
“The Board has planning and supports in place for virtual learning for Grades K-12.”
Johnson said on Monday, November 7, 2022 parents and students who require technology for virtual learning are welcome to visit their home schools during regular school hours (except during the school lunch period) to pick up Chromebooks.
“In addition, any personal items left at the school on Thursday; or materials that will be needed for online learning can be accessed. These may include: text books, musical instruments, eye glasses, articles of clothing and/or medication. Parents unable to attend the school on Monday should contact the classroom teacher to make alternate arrangements through the school office.”
Johnson said on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 there will be asynchronous learning opportunities for students, which will include a live Google meet with students and the classroom teacher and teachers will provide further information.
“On Wednesday, November 9, 2022 classes will begin synchronous instruction,” Johnson said.
“The regular school schedule will be maintained. Attendance will be taken, as required by Ontario regulation.
Johnson said for kindergarten, in order to provide small group instruction, all Kindergarten classes normally staffed by a classroom teacher and Early Childhood Educator (ECE) will be divided into two groups, with half of the students receiving synchronous instruction in the morning and the other half in the afternoon.
“You will receive further information from your school principal,” Johnson said.
For special education, Johnson said school teams involved with supporting students with special education needs will continue to work together on behalf of your child.
“A collaborative approach between Classroom Teachers, Program Resource Teachers and Board Special Education Teams will support student goals outlined in their IEP. Parents who require technical support should connect with their classroom teacher or the Help Desk at https://helpdesk.sccdsb.net/.”
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board is committed to keeping parents/guardians and staff informed as new information becomes available, Johnson added.
“Please continue to visit the Board website at https://newsdesk.st-clair.net/ for updates,” he said.
“In the meantime, we continue to pray for a resolution that is fair and equitable to both parties in the dispute between CUPE education workers and the Ontario government; so that our colleagues can return to their important work of supporting students and families at St. Clair Catholic and across the province.”
We’ll provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
