The Northwest Catholic District School Board will close its schools on Friday.
Education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees are intending to stage a walkout, after the province announced earlier this week that it would invoke the notwithstanding clause to impose a new collective bargaining agreement and legislate against a strike.
The board said the schools will be closed to in person learning, beginning Friday, until families are notified otherwise.
The affected schools are:
- Sacred Heart School, Sioux Lookout, ON
- St. Joseph's School, Dryden, ON
- St. Patrick's School, Atikokan, ON
- St. Mary School, Fort Frances, ON
- Our Lady of the Way School, Stratton, ON
While the Keewatin Patricia District School Board has said its schools will remain open on Friday, closures may eventually be necessary if the job action extends beyond just one day.
In a statement, Keewatin Patricia District School Board director of education Christy Radbourne said all efforts will be made to lessen the impact on students.
Rabourne also said that KPDSB will be deploying non-unionized staff members to provide additional support during Friday’s protest.
“Families should be aware that should CUPE workers remain off the job for longer than one day, school closures may be necessary,” Rabourne stated.
