Even before the first month of class is over, schools across Ontario are bracing for labour disruption. On Monday, Sept. 30, support workers in all public schools will launch a work-to-rule campaign over job cuts, with janitors refusing certain tasks such as sweeping hallways and secretaries no longer placing those early-morning calls for supply teachers. While the union will return to the bargaining table over the weekend, if that doesn?t bring a deal, the work-to-rule will start.
But that?s not the only labour brush fire underway right now in Ontario schools. The high school teachers? union just took the unusual step of publicizing its contract demands, which include reversing the government?s moves to larger classes and forcing teens to take four of their high school courses online. Meanwhile, teachers from Ontario?s 1,500 Catholic schools recently lodged a formal complaint against Queen?s Park for raising class sizes by decree, rather than bargaining. So, even though there isn?t a whisper of a strike yet by elementary teachers, it makes sense for parents to get prepared for all kinds of labour unrest.
Here’s what parents need to know.
Why is all this strike and work-to-rule talk happening now"
Doug Ford’s government has made cuts to education in its bid to shrink the deficit and many people aren’t happy. Teenagers walked out of school over larger classes and fewer course options. School boards are reeling from cuts to government grants that have l...