CUPE and the government are sitting down again today to attempt to get a deal in place before the proposed strike, which looms on Monday.
The talks will take place this afternoon.
The Near North District School Board stated that as of Monday if there is no agreement in place, schools will be closed.
At the NNDSB, CUPE represents school clerical support, information technologists, custodians, central clerical support and library technicians. The board says that these employees are critical to maintaining the health and safety of our students and facilities through a variety of tasks including monitoring of the safe arrival program, administration of student medicine, student supervision and regulated maintenance such as water flushing.
“We side with the parents,” Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli stated. “We are opening up our opportunities for bargaining. Our Minister of Education (Stephen Lecce) has said he will meet 24/7. We want people at the table bargaining. All we want to do is side with the parents and make sure the kids are safe in their classrooms.”
Near North says that the health and safety of the students and staff are a priority and without the important services of CUPE employees, they cannot guarantee that the learning environments will remain safe and clean for all students.
The board remains hopeful that a deal can be struck by the end of the day to keep schools open Monday.