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A looming education workers strike has prompted the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board to shutter all schools starting Monday, Oct. 7.

The PDSB and DPCDSB operate public and Catholic schools in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

Earlier this week, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)—which is currently in work-to-rule across Ontario—announced that it would begin a full withdrawal of services (strike action) across the province on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, unless progress is made at the central bargaining table.

The PDSB says CUPE members--administrative assistants, food service workers, library technicians, and custodial, maintenance and audio/visual repair staff--play an important safety role and are responsible for daily health and safety checks.

"After thoughtful consideration, we have determined that student safety cannot be ensured during a CUPE strike. As such, as of Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, all schools will be closed to students, unless a provincial agreement is made," the PDSB said on its website.

"Beginning Oct. 7, 2019, please do not send your child to school. You do not need to call in your child’s absence. Since we do not know how long the strike will last, we recommend that you begin making alternate plans for the care of your children, in the event that a strike proceeds."

The DPCDSB also says that if a settlement is not reached and the CUPE strike proceeds, all DPCDSB schools will be closed to students beginning Monday, Oct. 7.

All weekend DPCDSB classes and permits will continue as usual on Oct. 5 and 6.

As of Oct. 7, 2019, the following PDSB programs will also be cancelled/closed until further notice:

all evening and weekend permits

International Languages program

school field trips and extracurricular activities - refunds won’t be processed until after the strike

before-/after-school programs, and childcare programs operated on school property

EarlyON and Child and Family Learning Centres

Night School

Adult Credit, Non-Credit, ESL, and Literacy and Basic Skills programs

all Co-op placements, including those taking place off school property

Dual Credit program--students should not go to their college classes

high school information nights that are scheduled for the week of Oct. 7

eLearning courses are currently under review. Students in eLearning will be communicated with directly when a decision has been made.

If a settlement is reached over the weekend and/or the CUPE strike is suspended, schools will be open on Monday, Oct. 7.

The PDSB says that whenever the strike ends, before-school programs will not operate on the first day back. After-school programs will run when schools re-open. Childcare programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers will open at 8:30 a.m. on the first day back.

"During the CUPE strike and resulting school closures, students will miss course and classwork. Because we don’t know how long the strike will last, we are not yet in a position to address the loss of learning," the PDSB says.

"We appreciate that this is frustrating for families and students, and we will continue to monitor the labour situation and provide updates to you as they become available. As changes in strike action can happen at any time, it is important that you stay connected and look for updates."

To learn more, click here.