Here Are The Schools That Will Be Closed Friday As Ontario Education Workers Go On Strike
Lots of kids won't be in the classroom.
Desks in an empty classroom.
As the fighting continues between Ontario's education workers and the Ford government, students are the ones that are going to get caught in the middle.
CUPE said in a statement Thursday that education workers will be going on strike Friday after mediated talks fell apart and that the "Ford Conservative government would not make the necessary investments"
Following that statement, Education Minister Stephen Lecce held a news conference at Queen's Park, calling Friday's threat of strike action "illegal."
"We will use every tool we have to end their disruption," said Lecce.
While Friday's strike action is now confirmed, it remains unclear how long the strike could last.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has confirmed it will close its schools for in-person learning Friday, anticipating that custodians, admin workers and education support staff won't be on the job.
It is one of several boards to do this.
In a statement, it said the strike leaves it with "no option but to close".
"This is not a decision that we take lightly and we have explored every possible contingency plan to keep schools open," the statement reads. "Student supervision and safety are our top priorities and without the important services of these school-based employees, we cannot guarantee that our learning environments will remain safe and clean for all students."
What Ontario schools will close if CUPE strikes?
The TDSB is not the only school board that will be closing Friday if the strike does happen.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board clarified over the weekend that a strike would also force its schools to close.
Monday night, the Durham Catholic District School Board confirmed its schools would also close Friday if strike action is carried out.
The Peel District School Board announced Tuesday evening it would also close its schools Friday and said students would learn remotely.
Students with the York Region District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board also won't be in the classroom Friday.
Outside of the GTA, that same message has come from The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Boards, while many other boards in eastern Ontario have also announced plans to close.
There are other school boards as of Thursday afternoon that hadn't yet made their decision and promised parents an update.
Education workers plan to strike Friday, despite legislation meant to prevent a strike and mandate a new four-year contract that their union hasn't agreed to.
The 'Keeping Students in Class Act' also states workers could face fines of up to $4,000 a day if they go on strike.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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