THUNDER BAY – Is will be classes as usual at Lakehead Board of Education schools and all other Ontario schools after a tentative agreement between the Ontario Government and the CUPE workers was reached.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford states, “Throughout this process, our goal has been to establish agreements that respect taxpayers, students, and families, while also recognizing the important contributions of our front-line education workers. Our government worked tirelessly at the bargaining table to achieve this goal and as a result, two million students will remain in the classroom where they belong.”
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, issued the following regarding a tentative agreement with CUPE: “Parents can rest easy knowing that the Government worked tirelessly to ensure their children remain in the classroom, where they belong.
“That is why I am pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached between the Crown, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and the school board trustee associations, that keeps kids in class.
“The Government has remained a constructive force at the table with one mission in mind: keeping students in a safe and positive learning environment. By negotiating in good faith, all parties have demonstrated that a tentative deal can be achieved.
“This is welcome news for families, students, and workers alike, as schools remain opened across our province. We will continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure students in this province remain in class.”
The Lakehead Board has reported, “The Ontario Government and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have reached a tentative agreement that has averted a strike by Lakehead Public Schools custodial, maintenance and cafeteria staff.
“We are extremely pleased with this development and the stability that it will bring to our schools.”
