On November 1, 2022, Ontario Premier Doug Ford tabled legislation that would quash CUPE workers' ability to strike by invoking a Notwithstanding Clause.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents tens of thousands of school support staff, including custodians and administration, said the right to strike is protected by the Charter and that its workers are poised to walk off the job November 4.

In the following letter to parents and guardians, issued November 2, Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) Director of Education Lori Wilder CUPE's intention to withdraw service Friday.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Provincial negotiations are currently underway between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario government.

CUPE has provided notice of their intention to withdraw their services on Friday, November 4, 2022. At this time, we are not certain if a withdrawal of services will take place. Regardless, our schools will remain open to students and staff on Friday, November 4, 2022.

In Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB), CUPE includes custodial and maintenance staff.

Our CUPE staff provide essential services in our local schools and board facilities. We will be closely monitoring the impact to daily operations as this situation evolves and making decisions accordingly. We remain firmly committed to prioritizing the health and safety of all our students and staff.

Our students and families can also help us in a significant way at this time. To reduce the amount of waste in our buildings, we are asking for your support in only packing litter-less lunches and snacks when coming to school on Friday. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

It should be recognized that the withdrawal of services would necessitate the cancellation of extra-curricular activities. In addition, all rental permits for community events in schools would be cancelled.

As always, we will notify our families immediately regarding any new developments. A designated page for labour updates has also been created on the Bluewater District School Board website at bwdsb.on.ca/Spotlight/Labour_Updates.

We value the important work performed by our CUPE members and are hopeful that a collective agreement can be reached soon.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,
Lori Wilder, Director of Education

In another letter from the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB), the Office of the Director also addressed the issue:

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has announced a full withdrawal of services this Friday, November 4, 2022 if they are unable to reach a negotiated collective agreement with the Provincial Government.

For the BGCDSB, this withdrawal of service will include our Educational Assistants, Custodians, Office Administrators, Early Childhood Educators, Library Technicians, IT Field Technicians and CUPE staff at our Catholic Education Centre. This comprises approximately 420 permanent and casual employees (about 41% of our staff). After assessing the safety risks for our students and staff, the Board has determined that we cannot safely operate our schools for students during a full CUPE withdrawal of service. As such, the Board has made the very difficult decision to close all Secondary and Elementary schools in the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board on Friday, November 4, 2022 unless a new central agreement between CUPE and the Government of Ontario has been reached.

While we remain hopeful that the ongoing negotiations this week will be successful and a strike can be averted, we have encouraged families to make alternate child care arrangements for Friday, November 4, 2022. The Before and After school programs will be closed as well. The Brockton Child Care and Wooden Hill Child Care Centres (pre-school programs) will remain open. Updates will be posted on our website at bgcdsb.org/labour_update.

From the Office of the Director