York Region elementary teachers set to strike as CUPE 905 shows support

Public teachers on strike Monday, Catholic on Tuesday

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 20, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Dubbed as their “last resort,” elementary school teachers in York Region are readying for their picketing Monday Jan. 20 in a historic escalation where all of Ontario’s four education unions are engaged in job action for the first time in 20 years.

However, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario's York Region chapter is finding some support coming from CUPE 905.

“We will be joining workers on the picket line next week and we encourage you too!” CUPE 905 announced on its Facebook page on Jan. 17.

CUPE 905 is a large composite group consisting of almost 6,000 members working in the municipal, library, social service, paramedic and long term care sectors.

“These are the locations from 8:15-2:15 on Monday & Tuesday, Jan 20 & 21, Bring your friends and family!” CUPE 905 added, citing hashtags #NoCutstoEducation and #TheWorkersUnitedWillNeverBeDivided.

“We stand united and in complete solidarity!” it added.

Meanwhile, CUPE 1734, which has 3,200 education workers in York Region, is still bargaining for a local agreement after reaching a provincial deal, its president, Todd Canning, told Yorkregion.com.

Canning said education workers, members of CUPE 1734, are working Monday in spite of schools’ closures since teachers are the only ones striking.

Also, it’s not only ETFO taking job action next week -- Ontario’s English Catholic elementary and secondary teachers will hold a province-wide one-day withdrawal of services Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Filomena Ferraro, president of OECTA for York Region, has previously told Yorkregion.com that there will be 90 picket locations.

“Every Catholic school in York Region will have a picket location except for Prince of Peace CES, Sir Richard Scott CES, St. Anne CES, St. Bernadette CES, St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES, St. Luke Learning Center, St. Matthew CES, St. Paul CES, and St. Rene Goupil CES,” Ferraro said.

“Teachers at these schools will be located at another school,” she added.

Elementary schools belonging to York Region District School Board will be closed. However, for York Catholic District School Board’s schools both elementary and secondary will be closed.

“If the one-day strike occurs on Tuesday, Jan. 21, ALL YCDSB schools will be closed to students & transportation will be cancelled,” YCDSB wrote on Twitter on Jan. 17. “Parents are encouraged to make child care arrangements as a precaution.”

The sticking points are larger class sizes, mandatory e-learning classes and the one-per-cent cap on raising teachers’ salaries.