Hamilton Catholic schools to close Monday should CUPE workers go on strike

Hamilton's Catholic board says it plans to close schools again starting Monday should CUPE support staff walk off the job.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced Wednesday the union's education worker members - about 55,000 across Ontario - plan to go on strike Monday after mediated talks with the province broke down, giving the required five-day notice.

It's incredibly disappointing that the Ford government categorically refused to put money on the table to give students the type of learning environment they need," Laura Walton, educational assistant and president of CUPE's Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU), said in a statement.

The union represents more than 1,000 Catholic board education workers, including education assistants, early childhood educators, clerical and professional support staff, and about 500 caretakers and maintenance workers at the public board.

Out of our priority concern for the health and safety and well-being of our students and staff, schools will be closed to students," Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) chair Pat Daly and education director David Hansen said in a letter to families Wednesday afternoon.

Should schools close, students will move to remote learning. Families who need a device are asked to contact their school's principal before Friday.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) spokesperson Rob Faulkner said in an email parents can expect more information later Wednesday afternoon.

This is the second time this month education workers have walked off the job amid failed attempts to reach a deal with the province. Hamilton Catholic schools were closed for two days on Nov. 4 and 7 and public schools for one day on Nov. 7.

The union agreed employees would return to work and all Hamilton schools reopened Nov. 8 after the government pledged to rescind controversial back-to-work legislation.

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com