November 1, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As outlined in my letter to you yesterday, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) were positioned for a legal strike this Friday, November 4, 2022.  Yesterday, the Government of Ontario introduced legislation that would prohibit a strike by CUPE workers.   Despite the legislation, CUPE leaders have called for a province-wide day of protest on November 4, 2022 and have declared that CUPE staff in schools will not report for work.

At St. Clair Catholic, CUPE represents custodians, early childhood educators, educational assistants, library and computer technicians, secretaries and some corporate services administrative staff.  The full withdrawal of services means none of these important supports will be in place and the Board will not be able to safely operate our schools.

Although this dispute is between CUPE and the Ontario government, its impact will be felt at all schools.  In the event of a full withdrawal of services by CUPE, St. Clair Catholic will have no option but to close schools to all students on Friday, November 4, 2022. 

We do not take this decision lightly. Student supervision, safety and wellbeing are our first priority.  Without the important services of these school-based employees, the Board cannot ensure learning environments will remain safe and clean for all students.

Parents/guardians who have children enrolled in daycares located in schools should contact the daycare operator regarding whether programs will be open on Friday.  Any Community Use of Schools activities or events scheduled for Friday evening, November 4, 2022, which may have been previously approved, will be cancelled in the event of a full withdrawal of services.

Further impacts are as yet unknown and events can evolve rapidly with little notice.  Parents/guardians should be prepared and are strongly encouraged to make alternate child care arrangements, as necessary.

There will be further communications as new information becomes available.  Updates will be posted at https://newsdesk.st-clair.net/ on the Board website and on social media platforms.

Sincerely,
Scott Johnson
Director of Education