The TDSB, Ontario’s largest school board, informed parents and guardians Wednesday night of its plan ahead of an expected two-day walkout of 55,000 education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
“Student supervision and safety are our top priorities, and without the important services of nearly 15,000 CUPE employees, we cannot guarantee that our learning environments will remain safe and clean for all students,” the TDSB said in its release.
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On Wednesday, CUPE reiterated that its members, which include custodians, librarians, early childhood teachers, educational assistants and administrative staff, will walk off the job on Nov. 4 despite the passage of legislation barring them from doing so.
Bill 28, the Keeping Students in the Classroom Act, which is being fast-tracked in the Ontario legislature, would also impose a four-year contract on education workers.
The union confirmed on Wednesday that members will strike after Friday unless a non-legislative agreement is reached with the government.  Meanwhile, Education Minister Steven Lecce said there would be no further negotiations until CUPE called off the strike.
CUPE issued a strike notice to school boards on Sunday, prompting the Ford government to introduce the back-to-work bill the following day.
Any worker who walks off the job in violation of the bill could face fines of up to $4,000 a day.  Meanwhile, the union could be fined $500,000 a day.
The TDSB says students will be given homework to complete independently at home for Friday.  As for activities should the job action continue after Friday, the board says it will share more information later.
“We are optimistic that an agreement can be reached before Friday.  If the situation changes, we will provide families with updates as they become available,” the TDSB said.
Ontario education workers have been without a contract since Aug. 31.
– with files from CTV Toronto’s Katherine DeClerq