Simcoe County public schools will remain open Friday, even if a strike or walk-out by the board’s custodial and maintenance staff occurs.
On Monday, Oct. 31, the Ministry of Education introduced the Keeping Students in Class Act, in its attempt to avoid a strike.
In response, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents approximately 55,000 staff including educational assistants, custodians and early childhood educators across the province, announced their intention to proceed with a province-wide protest on Friday, despite the tabling of legislation aimed at blocking them from striking.
A letter sent to parents by the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) late yesterday noted the board’s intention to keep schools open to students and staff.
Jodi Lloyd, SCDSB chair and trustee for Orillia/Ramara/Severn, noted CUPE represents the board’s custodians and maintenance workers.
“At this point in time, it will be an illegal strike and we received notice it will be one day only,” she told BarrieToday, adding the union does not represent educational assistants with the local public board. “We would be in a very different position if it was our educational assistants who were not going to be there on Friday."
Lloyd acknowledged the situation is quite “fluid” and said the decision to keep schools open is based on the information they currently have.
“If that changes, we would notify parents, but based on the information we currently have, (the decision) is to keep schools open on Friday for student learning,” she said. “Should that change, we would review it at that time.”
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is still undecided as to what it will do in the event of a strike or walkout, according to a letter sent to staff and families from director Frances Bagley on Oct. 31.
“At this point we are unable to determine what school will look like on Friday, Nov. 4 and beyond. As the week progresses and more information becomes available, we will provide timely updates to our families. We know that uncertainty is difficult,” wrote Bagley in the letter.
“Please know that our first priority is always the health and safety of everyone in our schools and board office locations, and that will remain at the centre of all our decision-making. Let’s pray for a fairly negotiated settlement so that we can continue with a positive and productive school year.”
Misty Archer, president of CUPE Local 1310, which represents approximately 500 custodial, casual custodial and maintenance staff in the region, said in an email that workers are asking for improvements in job security and service security within the schools; to preserve sick leave and a wage increase.
“Our jobs used to be ones people wanted to get as the pay and benefits were good, but with the last 10 years of a one per cent increase and many years with no increase on $40,000 a year that doesn’t help us cover costs that are continually rising,” she said.
“We’ve faced pennies as (an) increase for the last 10 years. Enough is enough. Inflation is rising (and) my members are having to go get a second job to make ends meet," said Archer.
She added workers are also fighting for the supports needed in the buildings to support the students and in order to provide clean and properly maintained, safe working environments.
A strike, added Archer, is not something staff want, but said they felt they need to fight for what they deserve.
“We are fighting for the students in Simcoe County and for public education. We’ve been asking the government to meet with our central bargaining team before our collective agreements expired on Aug. 31," she said.
"The government keeps saying we as CUPE workers are disrupting the school year yet we’ve been asking for bargaining dates way back in the summer. The government is stalling and not bargaining fairly," Archer added.
These employees, she explained, are integral to keeping schools open and running smoothly while students are in them.
“We are fighting for the students and for public education,” she said. “We are in the trenches seeing the cuts to education that have been happening for years, how we are being asked to do more and more but (with) very little increase in hours of work or no increase in time and no increase in pay.
"Custodians are the first to arrive and the last to leave the schools daily. We take great pride in our work and we deserve respect. We have felt for years that we are worse than the dirt on the bottom of your shoes," said Archer.
