Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Labour Updates

Labour Update #11

February 28, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has given notice that they will be engaging in a one-day strike (full withdrawal of services) on Thursday, March 5, 2020. OECTA represents all Catholic teachers locally and provincially. As a result, all Sudbury Catholic Schools will be closed to students on March 5.

On Thursday, March 5 programs will be affected as follows:

  • All classes are cancelled, and schools are closed to students.
  • All sports and other extracurricular events are cancelled.
  • All before and after school childcare programs remain open.
  • All Daycare centres remain open.
  • All Community Use of Schools programs/events will run as scheduled.

We remain committed to, and focused on, achieving freely negotiated collective agreements that serve the needs of our students and are fair to all parties. We are not directly involved in central bargaining, however, the parties who are involved are working hard on our behalf to achieve an agreement.

We will continue to monitor job action closely and will provide updates and information as it becomes available through board and school websites and through social media.

Labour Update #10

February 13, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has given notice that they will be engaging in a one-day strike (full withdrawal of services) on Friday February 21, 2020. OECTA represents all Catholic teachers locally and provincially. As a result, all Sudbury Catholic Schools will be closed to students on February 21.

On Friday, February 21 programs will be affected as follows:

  • All classes are cancelled, and schools are closed to students.
  • All sports and other extracurricular events are cancelled.
  • All before and after school childcare programs remain open.
  • All Daycare centres remain open.
  • All Community Use of Schools programs/events will run as scheduled.

We remain committed to, and focused on, achieving freely negotiated collective agreements that serve the needs of our students and are fair to all parties. We are not directly involved in central bargaining, however, the parties who are involved are working hard on our behalf to achieve an agreement.

We will continue to monitor job action closely and will provide updates and information as it becomes available through board and school websites and through social media.

Labour Update #9

February 11, 2020

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020 OECTA has determined that it will withdraw additional duties that are typically provided by teachers. It is important to note that OECTA is in a legal strike position, and are legally able to withdraw or withhold their labour.

Some enhanced sanctions may have a significant impact on school operations. Some of these sanctions include but are not restricted to the following:

  • Withdrawal of “on-calls” to cover teacher absences;
  • Will no longer rearrange schedules to cover absent teachers;
  • Will no longer accept delegation of authority (Teacher Designate, Teacher in Charge) to cover for absent Principals/Vice-Principals;
  • Will no longer complete any tasks related to the OSR;
  • Will no longer collect or distribute paperwork that is generated by the Ministry of Education, the school board or the school administration, nor will they produce said paperwork;
  • Will not participate in certification training for Specialist High Skills Major programs outside the 300-minute instructional day.

The duties that will no longer be provided will significantly decrease flexibility in covering classes and ensuring adequate supervision for students. Alongside the enhanced sanctions, is a province-wide shortage of available supply staff to cover vacancies. As a result, our community can expect some possible disruptions to the operation of schools that may or may not include:

  • Inability to provide teacher coverage for absent teachers.
  • At the elementary level, this may mean that available administrators and other non-OECTA staff will cover classes or will have to combine classes to provide adequate supervision.
  • At the secondary level some classes may be cancelled, and students will need to assemble in other areas for independent study.
  • In our district, teacher-coaches are covered by on-calls when they are coaching. As a result of an inability to use on-calls to cover absent teachers, several games may need to be either re-scheduled or canceled.

We are pleased to report that parent-teacher meetings and any meetings and activities to support students with special needs will continue as per usual practice.

While significant contingency planning is occurring, there are several unknowns about how these sanctions may affect our day-to-day operations. Should parents have any concerns about the impact of these sanctions on the program planning for their children, they are asked to contact the school principal.

The Board is committed to providing the very best instruction to our students throughout the bargaining process. Our priority continues to be the safety and well-being of everyone in our schools while maintaining a caring learning environment for all students and staff. We continue to hope that a negotiated agreement can be achieved which will bring an end to the labour disruption and allow our board, schools and teachers to resume providing a full Catholic educational experience which is so important to our community.

Please continue to check the Board website or Twitter and Facebook for the latest developments.

Labour Update #8

January 29, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has given notice that they will be engaging in a one-day strike (full withdrawal of services) on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. OECTA represents all Catholic teachers locally and provincially. As a result, all Sudbury Catholic Schools will be closed to students on February 4, 2020.

On Tuesday, February 4, programs will be affected as follows:

  • All classes are cancelled, and schools are closed to students.
  • All sports and other extracurricular events are cancelled.
  • All before and after school childcare programs remain open.
  • All Daycare centres remain open.
  • All Community Use of Schools programs/events will run as scheduled.

Please note that all non-OECTA staff are expected to report to their school or workplace as usual. We have been advised by OECTA that pickets will not be taking place at our school sites on February 4.

We remain committed to, and focused on, achieving freely negotiated collective agreements that serve the needs of our students and are fair to all parties. We are not directly involved in central bargaining, however, the parties who are involved are working hard on our behalf to achieve an agreement.

We will continue to monitor job action closely and will provide updates and information as it becomes available through board and school websites and through social media.

Labour Update #7

January 16, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has given notice that they will be engaging in a one-day strike (full withdrawal of services) on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. OECTA represents all Catholic teachers locally and provincially. As a result, all Sudbury Catholic Schools will be closed to students on January 21, 2020.

On Tuesday, January 21, programs will be affected as follows:

  • All classes are cancelled, and schools are closed to students.
  • All sports and other extracurricular events are cancelled.
  • All before and after school childcare programs remain open.
  • All Daycare centres remain open.
  • All Community Use of Schools programs/events will run as scheduled.
  • All non-OECTA staff are expected to report to their school or workplace as usual.

Please note that we do not anticipate pickets taking place at our school sites on January 21.

We regret any disruption to student learning or inconvenience to families that will result from job action. We do respect that the imposition of sanctions are a legal part of the collective bargaining process. Our actions during any sanctions will focus on the safety and well-being of the students entrusted to our care.

We remain committed to, and focused on, achieving freely negotiated collective agreements that serve the needs of our students and are fair to all parties. We are not directly involved in central bargaining, however, the parties who are involved are working hard on our behalf to achieve an agreement.

We will continue to monitor job action closely and will provide updates and information as it becomes available through board and school websites and through social media.

Labour Update #6

January 10, 2020

As you may be aware, on Wednesday, January 8, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) announced that their members will begin job action on Monday, January 13, unless a tentative agreement is reached. These measures consist of members not attending staff meetings, not participating in EQAO-related activities, and not inputting comments on report cards (only marks will be provided) or participating in Ministry of Education initiatives board in-service. It is our understanding that school activities such as field trips, sports and extracurricular activities and communication between parents and teachers will continue as normal. We are currently evaluating how this job action will impact secondary school students who are scheduled to write the Grade 9 EQAO assessment. We will communicate with families of secondary students about this as soon as possible.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) represents all Catholic teachers locally and provincially. It is important to note that whether an agreement is reached or not, all Sudbury Catholic District School Board schools remain open and student learning will continue within our classrooms.

We do anticipate information pickets at our schools on Monday. Teaching staff may be present with OECTA information pamphlets at the exits of school property 15 minutes prior to and 15 minutes following the school day.

As a Catholic School Board, we are committed to the labour negotiation process. We are not directly involved in central bargaining, however, the parties who are involved are working hard on our behalf to achieve an agreement.

We will continue to monitor this job action closely and will provide parents and guardians with updates and information as it becomes available through board and school websites, and through social media.

We very much appreciate your understanding and thank you for your ongoing commitment to Catholic education.

Labour Update #5

December 9, 2019

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) has served a Notice of Strike Action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a second one-day walkout on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. It is important to note that this job action will not impact schools in Sudbury. OSSTF does not represent any SCDSB teachers or other employees. Sudbury Catholic staff are represented by Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA).

Labour Update #4

November 29, 2019

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) has served a Notice of Strike Action outlining a full withdrawal of services in the form of a one-day walkout on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. It is important to note that OSSTF does not represent any SCDSB teachers or other employees. Sudbury Catholic staff are represented by Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) and will therefore not be affected by this strike action; however, traffic delays may be anticipated if a full strike takes place and picket lines are planned at neighbouring public schools.

Labour Update #3

October 7, 2019

A tentative settlement has been reached on central terms of a collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers. The terms of the new agreement will remain confidential until the ratification process is completed. CUPE has agreed to stop all job action while awaiting ratification of the deal. Within the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, CUPE staff represents custodial and maintenance staff. Community use of schools will continue without interruption.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Labour Update #2

October 4, 2019

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) across the province will escalate to strike action including a full withdrawal of services effective October 7, 2019 should a settlement not be reached by the end of the day on October 6, 2019. Within the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, CUPE staff represents custodial and maintenance staff. Contingency planning is underway at this time, and currently a partial withdrawal of services continues.

All Sudbury Catholic District School Board schools will remain open and student learning will continue within our classrooms. However, please be advised that all community use of school activities will be cancelled for the time being. The health and safety of our staff and students will remain a top priority. As a Catholic School Board, we are committed to the labour negotiation process. If there is any impact to regular school operations, parents and students will be notified and regular updates will be posted on our Board website.

Labour Update #1

September 27, 2019

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) across the province will begin job action in the form of “Work to Rule” effective Monday, September 30, 2019, which will include a partial withdrawal of some core services. Within the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, CUPE staff represents custodial and maintenance staff.

All Sudbury Catholic District School Board schools will remain open and student learning will continue within our classrooms. The health and safety of our staff and students will remain a top priority. As a Catholic School Board, we are committed to the labour negotiation process. If there is any impact to regular school operations, parents and students will be notified and regular updates will be posted on our Board website.

Register Now! E-mail Copied to Clipboard