The Jeanne-Lajoie Catholic School Center in Pembroke will be closed on Monday (November 21st) if education workers go on strike. Marc-Bertrand, the Director of Education for the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), says schools affected by the strike, including Jeanne-Lajoie, will offer virtual learning on Monday with computers and devices handed out to students on Friday. The CECCE says extra curricular activities planned during the school day and outside of school hours will also be cancelled until further notice.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says bargaining talks with the province have broken down again and tens of thousands of education workers in Ontario are in a position to strike on Monday. CUPE says they reached middle ground with the government on wages, but adds the government refused to invest in the services that students need and parents expect.
School Board Reaction Across Renfrew County
The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) is planning a transition back to virtual learning if there’s a strike.
The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) says some schools will remain open and others will transition to virtual learning if education workers strike.
The Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO) says if there’s a strike Equinox school in Pembroke will close with a transition back to virtual learning.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)