If education workers represented by CUPE walk off the job on Monday, catholic schools in Windsor-Essex will close but public schools will remain open.

The leadership of the Canadian Union of Public Employees announced on Wednesday it would move to a full strike Monday if there was no settlement in place.

Talks between CUPE and the province are set to resume at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board says if a strike occurs, all elementary and secondary schools will be closed.

The board indicates it will notify parents through it website and Twitter account as soon as a final decision is known.

The WECDSB employs 565 full-time and occasional CUPE support staff, including educational assistants, designated early childhood educators, child and youth workers, psychotherapists and other para-professionals.

But the Greater Essex County District School Board says it has a contingency plan in place and its schools will remain open.

CUPE represents represents custodial, maintenance, clerical and information technology staff at the public board.

The board statement says "teachers, administrators and education support staff will still be in schools Monday and a plan will be in place to maintain student safety and building operations in the absence of the striking employees."

The 55,000 workers began a work-to-rule campaign this week to pressure the province to reach a contract agreement.