Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Labour Updates page

Labour Updates

Posted on 11/02/2022

Please monitor this page for ongoing updates on provincial labour negotiations and any potential impact on Bluewater District School Board schools and work sites.

November 20, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Today, we learned that a tentative collective agreement was reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) during provincial labour negotiations. This means CUPE will not be engaging in a withdrawal of services as previously announced, and its members will continue to report to work.

All Bluewater District School Board elementary and secondary schools will remain open to students for in-person learning as of tomorrow, Monday, November 21, 2022.

Transportation services for students, extra-curricular activities, child care/before and after school programs, and rental permits for community events and activities in schools will also continue uninterrupted.

Our CUPE members perform a wide range of invaluable services in our schools and work sites. We are pleased by the news of a tentative provincial agreement that recognizes this crucial work.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding. We look forward to seeing our students and staff in school tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Lori Wilder
Director of Education

November 17, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has provided notice of their intention to fully withdraw their services across Ontario on Monday, November 21, 2022 if a collective agreement is not reached with the provincial government by that time.

In Bluewater District School Board, CUPE includes our custodial and maintenance staff.

IF there is a full withdrawal of services by CUPE, we will have no choice but to close all schools in Bluewater District School Board to students starting on Monday, November 21, 2022 until further notice. In this scenario, all elementary and secondary students would move to remote learning on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. This would allow educators to prepare on Monday for the transition to remote learning.

Elementary and secondary students who are already learning remotely this school year would continue with their usual daily routines.

We realize that some families would require a device to access online learning. We only have the capacity to loan up to one device per family where necessary. Staff would collect information with a plan to distribute technology to families requiring this support by the middle of next week.

With Monday a transition day, students and families would be encouraged to visit TVO Learn at https://tvolearn.com/.

Please note that during a full withdrawal of services, there would be no student transportation services running. Extra-curricular activities would not occur during this period but could be rescheduled if possible. Before and after school programs would be cancelled, and families would be encouraged to contact their child care providers regarding availability. All rental permits for community events and activities in schools would be cancelled. Dual credit and co-operative education programs for secondary students would continue during this period.

Students are asked to take home essential items from school on Friday just in case a full withdrawal of services occurs on Monday.

Mental health resources and supports for students are available on our website at the following link: https://www.bwdsb.on.ca/students/mental_health

This continues to be an evolving situation. We will be sure to update families on any new developments that may impact our schools through SchoolMessenger, and Bluewater District School Board’s social media pages and Labour Updates web page.

We value the work of our CUPE members and hope for a positive outcome as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Lori Wilder
Director of Education

November 7, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians:

CUPE members will be returning to work tomorrow, Tuesday, November 8, 2022, as both parties prepare to resume provincial negotiations.

We are encouraged by today’s announcement, which ensures that our schools will continue to remain open to students. Extra-curricular activities and child care/before and after care programs in schools will resume.

We value the work of our CUPE members.

Updates on new developments will continue to be shared with families through SchoolMessenger, and Bluewater District School Board’s social media pages and website.

Thank you again for your patience, support, and cooperation during these times.

Sincerely,

Lori Wilder
Director of Education

November 4, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This is an update to the letter to families sent on November 2, 2022 regarding the provincial withdrawal of services by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

In Bluewater District School Board, CUPE members include custodial and maintenance staff.

Our schools will remain open to students and staff on Monday, November 7, 2022. Please note that busses will also be running to all Bluewater District School Board schools. Extra-curricular activities will continue to be cancelled during the withdrawal of services, and rescheduled if possible.

Families should be aware that school closures may become necessary if the withdrawal of services by CUPE members continues beyond this point.

Updates on any new developments will be shared with families through SchoolMessenger, and Bluewater District School Board’s social media pages and website.

We continue to closely monitor the provincial situation between CUPE and the Ontario government in the hope that a resolution will be reached soon.

In the meantime, we ask that you please continue to send litter-less lunches and snacks with your child(ren) to school on Monday to help us reduce the amount of waste in our building.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and cooperation. We remain firmly committed to prioritizing the health and safety of all our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Lori Wilder
Director of Education

November 2, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Provincial negotiations are currently underway between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario government.

CUPE has provided notice of their intention to withdraw their services on Friday, November 4, 2022. At this time, we are not certain if a withdrawal of services will take place. Regardless, our schools will remain open to students and staff on Friday, November 4, 2022.

In Bluewater District School Board, CUPE includes custodial and maintenance staff.

Our CUPE staff provide essential services in our local schools and board facilities. We will be closely monitoring the impact to daily operations as this situation evolves and making decisions accordingly. We remain firmly committed to prioritizing the health and safety of all our students and staff.

Our students and families can also help us in a significant way at this time. To reduce the amount of waste in our buildings, we are asking for your support in only packing litter-less lunches and snacks when coming to school on Friday. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

It should be recognized that the withdrawal of services would necessitate the cancellation of extra-curricular activities. In addition, all rental permits for community events in schools would be cancelled.

As always, we will notify our families immediately regarding any new developments. A designated page for labour updates has also been created on the Bluewater District School Board website at the following link: www.bwdsb.on.ca/Spotlight/Labour_Updates

We value the important work performed by our CUPE members and are hopeful that a collective agreement can be reached soon.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Lori Wilder
Director of Education

Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.

Bluewater District School Board

Elementary

Other

Secondary

Bluewater's Labour Updates page

Labour Updates