Brampton, Mississauga Schools Closed As Of Oct. 7 Unless Deal With Education Workers Is Reached

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) will close all schools to students as of Monday, Oct. 7, unless an agreement between CUPE education workers and the province is reached.

Both boards made the announcement Thursday, Oct. 3 after 55,000 CUPE education workers started a work-to-rule job action Sept. 30. Both boards said student safety was the reason they decided to close all schools.

On Wednesday, CUPE announced members would begin strike action across the province Oct. 7 unless progress is made at the central bargaining table. CUPE and the province resume negotiations Friday with the hope of reaching a deal before Monday.

If no deal is reached by Oct. 7, parents and guardians should not send children to school. Parents and guardians also don’t have to call in their child’s attendance.

Also cancelled and closed until further notice are: EarlyON and Child and Family Learning Centres, before and after school programs, school trips, night school and child care programs operated on school property. Parents/guardians do not need to call in your child’s absence.

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

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

To find out the status of schools visitwww.peelschools.org/labour and www.dpcdsb.org. Twitter @DPCDSB and @PeelSchool.