Windsor - October 3, 2019 - Yesterday the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) provided notice that they will escalate their work-to-rule campaign to a full withdrawal of services on Monday, October 7, 2019 if a negotiated settlement with the provincial government cannot be reached by that date.

The WECDSB employs more than 400 CUPE support staff including Educational Assistants, Designated Early Childhood Educators, Child and Youth Workers, Psychotherapists and other para-professionals.

We have decided to close all of our elementary and secondary schools beginning Monday, October 7 should the members of CUPE follow through with their previously stated intention. This would mean that students in those schools will not be able to attend. However, St. Michael’s Adult Campus on Detroit Street in Windsor will remain open.

The health and safety of all of our students and staff remains the Board’s primary concern and was the predominant factor that was considered in making this decision.

We would strongly suggest that parents and guardians begin looking at alternative arrangements for child care. Parents who have children enrolled in privately operated daycare services and before-and-after programs in our schools should consult with the providers of those programs to determine whether they will remain open should a strike occur.

This is a dispute between CUPE and the Province of Ontario and it is our sincere hope that both parties can return to the central negotiating table. While we are not directly involved in the process, we will monitor the situation closely and hope that a resolution can be reached without CUPE members having to withdraw their services.

As soon as we know for certain if schools will be closed on Monday, we will post information to the Board’s web site (wecdsb.on.ca) and to our Twitter account (twitter.com/WECDSB). We will also send a voice message to all parents throughout the system and inform local media outlets.

We remain hopeful for a speedy resolution to this impasse.

Sincerely,

Terry Lyons
Director of Education