Hamilton Public Schools to Stay Open in Event of Strike

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Published October 3, 2019 at 8:02 pm

Public schools in Hamilton will remain open this Monday (Oct. 7) in the event of a strike, according to a letter to families from Hamilton-Wentworth District Schoolboard sent out Thursday (Oct.

Public schools in Hamilton will remain open this Monday (Oct. 7) in the event of a strike, according to a letter to families from Hamilton-Wentworth District Schoolboard sent out Thursday (Oct. 3).

“HWDSB is planning to implement contingency measures to keep schools safe, clean and open,” the letter, signed by Alex Johnstone, Chair of the Board, and Manny Figueiredo Director of Education, said.

Monday’s strike action would see about 500 HWDSB caretakers and maintenance workers withdraw services. 

The decision follows in the wake of closures in other Ontario municipalities, including Waterloo and York and Peel regions.

Earlier this week, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)—which is currently in work-to-rule across Ontario—announced that it would begin a full withdrawal of services (strike action) across the province on Monday unless progress is made at the central bargaining table.

“As HWDSB implements contingency measures, we will monitor the conditions of schools during the job action,” the letter to families said. “We will communicate with families if we are unable to maintain learning environments and need to close schools.”

Here’s what HWDSB families can expect come Monday:

  • HWDSB schools will remain open for teaching and learning during the instructional day. This means that doors will open 15 minutes before bell time and will close 15 minutes after bell time. Please check your school’s website if you are unsure of bell times.
  • Existing Early Learning and Child Care centres (Birth to age 3.8) will be open on a modified schedule to align with the school bell times. Please speak with your childcare operator for more details.

To keep schools safe, clean and open during the school day, the following programs are cancelled:

  • EarlyON Child and Family Centres
  • All licenced before- and after-school programs
  • All authorized recreation programs
  • All rental permits on any board property, board meetings, school council and Home & School Association meetings, professional learning, training and athletics, from October 5 to 20 inclusive
  • All extra-curricular activities in HWDSB will be cancelled until further notice

Excursions that take place off of school property and during the instructional school day will continue, as these are teaching and learning opportunities. Please speak with your principal about the impact on specific events.

To learn more, click here.

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