The Province of Ontario and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), who represents education support workers in Ontario, are set to head back to the bargaining table. As a result, schools across the Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB) and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) are set to reopen on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
At a press conference held Monday morning, November 7, 2022, Premier Doug Ford announced the Province would rescind recently passed legislation, which would’ve imposed a four-year contract on education support workers in Ontario.
We’re willing to do whatever it takes to keep children in class.
I’m urging CUPE, please show the same willingness to work together as we have today. End the strikes. pic.twitter.com/mOy5dxyFBF
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 7, 2022
In a separate news conference around 12 p.m., CUPE officials said they received written confirmation that the Province will introduce and support legislation that would repeal Bill 28 in its entirely.
As a result, CUPE officials said their protest sites would be collapsed and that they were ready to start bargaining.
“This morning, Doug Ford announced that he will rescind Bill 28,” Mark Hancock, the CUPE National President, said during the press conference.
“And that’s a credit to the power of our members, and workers and organized labour here in Ontario and across Canada.”
Premier Ford later said he was happy to see students heading back to class.
“I’m glad CUPE has agreed to withdraw its strike action so kids can return to class,” Premier Ford tweeted.
“We’ll be back at the table to negotiate a fair deal — for students, parents, workers and taxpayers.”
The news from CUPE and Province on Monday morning sparked the two local school boards to announce that schools would reopen starting on Tuesday.
“Today, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1238 notified Lambton Kent District School Board its members will report to work as scheduled on Tuesday, November 8, 2022,” wrote John Howitt, Director of Education for the Lambton-Kent District School Board, in a letter to parents.
“As such, all Lambton Kent District School Board schools and facilities will be open to students on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. We thank you for your patience and support through the uncertainty during the past week. LKDSB is hopeful a fair collective agreement can be reached.”
Howitt added: “Please continue to visit the LKDSB’s website (www.lkdsb.net) for all labour relations updates.”
Scott Johnson, Director of Education for the SCCDSB, wrote a similar letter to parents.
“CUPE Local 4168 has today informed the St. Clair Catholic District School Board that, effective tomorrow, its education workers will return to work,” Johnson wrote.
“This means all St. Clair Catholic elementary and secondary schools will reopen to students on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. I want to thank our students, families and staff for your understanding during this difficult and uncertain period. We are pleased that our CUPE colleagues will be back in our schools, to continue their important work of supporting our students and families.”
Johnson added: “Any parents/guardians and students who stopped by their schools today to pick up Chromebooks and school supplies for virtual learning are asked to please return the devices and learning materials tomorrow.”
Johnson said the SCCDSB recognizes that there is still “much work to do” at the bargaining table, in negotiations between CUPE and the Ontario government.
“We continue to pray that the two sides will reach an agreement that is fair for all parties,” he said.
We’ll continue to provide more details as they become available.
