Ottawa Valley school boards differ on pending job actions

An announcement by the Canadian Union of Pubic Employees (CUPE) regarding potential disruptions within Ottawa Valley elementary and secondary schools by union members has resulted in opposite approaches laid out by the two main school systems with one stating all schools will be closed and the other remaining open.

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) informed parents that in the event of a walkout this Friday (Nov. 4) by staff in support of school support workers, all schools will be closed. The RCDSB oversees the operations of 24 elementary schools, seven secondary schools, four continuing education alternative schools (adult high schools), and four programs for alternative learning (student success) in the County of Renfrew, Ontario.

The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) runs 19 primary schools and two secondary schools, all of which are English, informed parents the doors will stay open and expects the 550 employees that provide education for over 5000 students in 16 different communities to carry on its educational commitments.

The public board noted students would be shifted to online learning if needed. For the public board the walk out could include school secretaries, office administrators, custodians and members of central departments.

In a letter to parents, the RCCDSB director of education, Mark Searson noted “in person learning will continue in all RCCDSB schools including regular transportation to and from school.” However, any community use of schools from Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6 will be cancelled.

Searson’s letter also noted CUPE is the union which represents custodians at some schools and all tradespeople in the school board, however, not all schools utilize CUPE custodial staff.

The RCDSB issued a memorandum to the community stating why the schools will be closed in the event of any job action.

“An agreement has not yet been reached between the provincial government and CUPE. At present, CUPE has declared a full withdrawal of services for all its members on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022,” the memo stated.

“As there are a number of employee groups that are part of CUPE within the RCDSB, the District is not in a position to offer safe in-person learning for students during the withdrawal of services. As a result, all students at the RCDSB will be moved to remote learning for Friday, Nov. 4. Please do not send your children to school in-person.”

Both school boards have stated any extra-curricular events will also be placed on hold, nor would any community permits be issued. Parents were promised to be updated if there were any changes.

The RCDSB also cautioned parents not to drop children off at the schools or have them attend themselves as they will not be admitted to their classrooms. The board issues a FAQ information package which stated various notices.

“Please do not send your children to school,” the memo stated. RCDSB schools will not be running and staffed as usual during the labour action. For the safety of our students, parents/guardians will be contacted immediately and be required to pick their child/children up at the school.

The last major school disruption in the Ottawa Valley occurred in January 2020 when members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)held a series of planned walkouts and the RCDSB was one of nine school boards across the province that took part.

CUPE announced some 55,000 workers will walk off the job on Friday, Nov. 4 in the province as part of a day of protest. This was after the Ontario government tabled legislation on Monday, Oct. 31 which would “terminate any on-going strike” by the union. Workers are upset with the government offer of a four-year deal with an annual raise for workers of between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent depending on starting salary. The government initially offered an annual increase of 1.25 percent.