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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Halton District School Board Labour Updates​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​This webpage is your source for information and updates concerning the labour situation with all Halton District Sc​hool Board employee groups​.  To learn more about emplo​yee groups​ within the Halton District School Board, visit HDSB Employee Groups​.


​Latest Elementary School ​(ETFO​) & Secondary School Labour Updates​ (OSSTF)​​​​
​​ ​
ETFO & ​OSSTF​ Labour Update (Feb. 20​, 2020)
Dear families of HDSB elementary and secondary students,

 
Friday, Feb. 21: All schools closed to students

 
A tentative agreement has not been reached therefore the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) will engage in a one-day provincewide walkout on Friday, Feb. 21 impacting all Ontario elementary and secondary schools. 

 
As a result, all schools in the HDSB will be closed on Friday, Feb. 21 as there will not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety of students. 

 
This walkout is a result of central bargaining taking place between the unions, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA).  

 
For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit the HDSB Employee Groups page on our website. 

 
Please note the following:

 
Athletics, Extracurriculars and Field Trips: School athletics, extracurricular activities and field trips scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 are cancelled. Attempts will be made to reschedule these events. 

 
Adult Day School Classes: Adult day school credit classes are cancelled for Friday, Feb. 21. Dual credit courses at colleges and secondary schools are cancelled as well. 

 
Community Use Rentals: Community Use rentals will not be impacted.

 
We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

 
To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

 
Thank you for your support and understanding.

 
Sincerely,

 
Stuart Miller

 
Director of Education​
​​​​ 

​Past Secondary School Labour Updates​ (OSSTF)​​​​
​
OSSTF​ Labour Update (Feb. 3​, 2020)

  • ​Tuesday, Feb. 4 - Secondary schools closed 
  • Tuesday, Feb. 4 - Elementary schools open (no school office staff) 

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) will engage in a one-day walkout on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at some Ontario school boards including the Halton District School Board.This walkout is a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). 

As a result, all secondary schools in the HDSB will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, as there would not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety of students. Elementary schools will be open but will have no school office staff in place as outlined below.  

Note: Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be open for the students in Grade 7 and 8. 

In the HDSB, this one-day OSSTF walkout involves the following staff: ​
  • Secondary school teachers (both permanent and occasional/supply teachers) 
  • Office, clerical and technical employees (OCTU) in both elementary and secondary schools 
  • Professional Student Services Personnel (PSSP) which includes Psychologists, Social Workers, Child and Youth Counsellors, Speech-Language Pathologists and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Facilitators in both elementary and secondary schools

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit the HDSB Employee Groups webpage. 

Please note the following:
  • Athletics, Extracurriculars, Field Trips and Co-op Placements:All secondary school athletics, extracurricular activities and field trips scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4 are cancelled. Attempts will be made to reschedule these events. 
  • Adult Day School and all Night School Classes:All adult day school credit classes and all night school credit classes for Tuesday, Feb. 4 are cancelled.
  • Community Use Rentals: After school rentals are not impacted.

We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education


Reminders for Families of Elementary Students

Please be aware that other school support staff (who are OSSTF members) will also be on strike on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and as a result, regular school activities in elementary schools will also be impacted. 

Without office staff in elementary schools, parents/guardians are reminded of the following: 
  • If your child will be absent or late, you must report the absence/late arrival through SchoolMessenger (Toll-free at 1-877-409-6310, online at go.schoolmessenger.ca or on the HDSB Mobile App). 
  • School phones may not be answered in a timely manner.
  • Exterior doors of schools will be locked. If your child is arriving late, you must wait at the door with them until it is opened by a staff member. Please expect delays.
  • We encourage parents/guardians to avoid non-urgent school visits/communication on this day. 

It is anticipated that striking workers may picket at schools and Board offices. If you or your child happen to encounter picket lines, please be aware that you have the right to cross picket lines at any time.​
​​​​  
OSSTF Labour Update (Jan. 30, 2020)

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) announced today it will hold another one-day walkout on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at some Ontario school boards including the Halton District School Board, if a tentative agreement is not reached. This one-day walkout is a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). 


If a one-day walkout occurs, the HDSB will, once again, have no choice but to close secondary schools on Tuesday, Feb. 4 as there would not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of students. Families are encouraged to make contingency plans for their child, if required. HDSB elementary schools will remain open. Aldershot High School and Burlington Central High School will be open for their students in Grade 7 and 8 only.  We have been advised that OSSTF members intend to return to work on Wednesday, Feb. 5.


In the HDSB, OSSTF represents: 

  • Permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in secondary schools 
  • Office, clerical and technical employees (OCTU) in both elementary and secondary schools 
  • Professional Student Services Personnel (PSSP) which includes Psychologists, Social Workers, Child and Youth Counsellors, Speech-Language Pathologists and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Facilitators in both elementary and secondary schools

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit this page. 


Please note the following:

  • Adult Day School and all Night School Classes: If the one-day walkout occurs, all adult day school credit classes and all night school credit classes will be cancelled for Tuesday, Feb. 4.
  • Community Use Rentals: Community Use rentals will not be impacted.

We will continue to provide families and staff with accurate and timely information as we are able through email, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).


To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 


Thank you for your support and understanding.


Sincerely,

Stuart Miller

Director of Education ​ 
​​​ ​
OSSTF Labour Update (Jan. 23​, 2020)

Jan. 23, 2020


Dear families of secondary students: 


As you are aware, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) is in a legal strike position with labour sanctions imposed in Fall 2019. These sanctions direct teachers not to provide comments for the Semester 1 final report cards.


As a result of these sanctions, secondary students in the HDSB will receive a Semester 1 report card that includes final grades and information about Learning Skills, but will not include comments. 


All report cards will be distributed between Friday, Feb. 7 - Thursday, Feb. 13. 


Self-Paced Learning (SPL) courses

For students enrolled in a Self-Paced Learning (SPL) course where a credit has not yet been earned, this course will continue into Semester 2. SPL courses are identified with the last letter “X” in the course code. Please contact your student's SPL teacher if you have questions.


Withdrawn courses

If a student has withdrawn from a course, a “W” will appear on the report card to indicate that no credit was awarded. The grade recorded will reflect the student’s achievement at the time of withdrawal.


Report card grades are also available through myBlueprint, the HDSB’s online education planner. This is used by all HDSB secondary students. Student grades can be viewed by logging in with a student’s HDSB school account. Grades will be available here effective Monday, Feb. 3.  Parents and students are reminded that non-semestered, full year courses are not reported on at this time.


As always, if you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please contact their teacher. 


Thank you for your understanding. 


Sincerely,


Stuart Miller

Director of Education

​
​​​
OSSTF Labour Update (Jan. 13, 2020)
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) announced last week they will hold another one-day walkout on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 at some Ontario school boards, if a tentative agreement is not reached. The HDSB is NOT one of the 14 school boards listed, and will therefore NOT be impacted by this one-day walkout on Jan. 15.

​ We will provide Labour Updates on the HDSB website​ and on HDSB social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram​)​.
​​​OSSTF Labour Update (Jan. 9, 2020)
Yesterday (Jan. 8), the Ministry of Education announced that given the current labour action, Ontario school boards should make a decision whether or not to administer the province-wide EQAO Grade 9 Math assessment in January 2020.

The Halton District School Board, along with many Ontario school boards, has decided to cancel the EQAO Grade 9 Math assessment scheduled for this month. The EQAO Grade 9 Math assessment is NOT a requirement for graduation.  

As you are aware, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) is in a legal strike position with labour sanctions imposed in Fall 2019. These sanctions prevent  teachers from administering or marking EQAO assessments. 

In the Ministry of Education's announcement, Ontario schools boards were advised that students who do not take the EQAO Grade 9 Math assessment this January may be required to complete the test in June 2020. The HDSB recognizes that writing the test in June could be a disadvantage for students who took Grade 9 Math in Semester 1. The HDSB is waiting for further direction from the Ministry of Education and will inform families about this matter later in the school year. 

As communicated earlier in the week, in the HDSB, portions of the EQAO Math assessment have been traditionally used as the final exam in Grade 9 Math. As students will not be completing the assessment this month, current Grade 9 Math students (Applied and Academic) will write an alternate math evaluation that will be used in the calculation of their final grades. This evaluation will reflect the Grade 9 Math curriculum.

Thank you for your understanding. 
Sincerely,

Stuart Miller
Director of Education
​
OSSTF Labour Update (Jan. 6, 2020)
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) announced last week they will hold another one-day walkout on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 at some Ontario school boards, if a tentative agreement is not reached. The HDSB is NOT one of the eight school boards listed, and will therefore NOT be impacted by this one-day walkout on Jan. 8. 

 
We will provide Labour Updates on the HDSB website and on HDSB social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram​). ​
​
​ ​​
​​​Past Elementary School Labour Updates​ (ETFO​)​​​​
​
ETFO Labour Update (Feb 7​, 2020)

  • Monday, Feb. 10: Elementary schools closed
  • Tuesday, Feb. 11: Elementary schools closed
  • Friday, Feb. 14: PA Day (Elementary & Secondary schools closed to students)
  • ​Monday, Feb. 17: Family Day (Statutory holiday, all schools closed)

Elementary schools closed Monday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 11

A tentative agreement has not been reached therefore the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will engage in a walkout impacting HDSB elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 10 and a province-wide walkout impacting all Ontario public elementary schools on Tuesday, Feb. 11. ​

As a result, elementary schools in the HDSB will be closed on Monday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 11 as there will not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety of students. Secondary schools will be open. 

Note: Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8 only. 

These walkouts are a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA).  

In the HDSB, ETFO represents: 
  • Permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in elementary schools 
  • Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) working in Kindergarten classrooms

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit the HDSB Employee Groups page on our website. 

Please note the following:
  • Adult Day and Night School Classes: Adult Day School Credit classes and Night School Credit, including all in-class and co-op classes, are not impacted.
  • Community Use Rentals: School rentals are not impacted.

We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education​
​​​​ ​ ​
ETFO Labour Update (Feb 5​, 2020)

  • ​​Thursday, Feb. 6: Elementary schools closed
  • Monday, Feb. 10: Elementary schools potentially closed
  • Tuesday, Feb. 11: Elementary schools potentially closed
  • Friday, Feb. 14: PA Day (Elementary and Secondary schools closed)
  • Monday, Feb. 17: Family Day (Statutory holiday, all schools closed)

Elementary schools closed Thursday, Feb. 6

A tentative agreement has not been reached therefore the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will engage in a province-wide walkout impacting all Ontario public elementary schools on Thursday, Feb. 6. 

As a result, elementary schools in the HDSB will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 6 as there will not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety of students. Secondary schools will be open. Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8 only. 

Potential elementary school closures on Monday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 11

ETFO announced yesterday it will hold a one-day walkout impacting HDSB elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 10 in addition to another province-wide walkout impacting all Ontario public school boards on Tuesday, Feb. 11, if a tentative agreement is not reached by then. 

If these walkouts occur, the HDSB will have no choice but to close elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 11. Families are encouraged to make contingency plans for their child. HDSB secondary schools will remain open.

These walkouts are a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA).  

In the HDSB, ETFO represents: 
  • Permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in elementary schools 
  • Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) working in Kindergarten classrooms

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit the HDSB Employee Groups page on our website. 

Please note the following:
  • Adult Day and Night School Classes: Adult Day School Credit classes and Night School Credit, including all in-class and co-op classes, are not impacted.
  • Community Use Rentals: School rentals are not impacted.

We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education​
​
​​​​ ​ ​
ETFO Labour Update (Feb 2​, 2020)

HDSB elementary schools: Closed Monday, Feb. 3. Elementary schools also closed Thursday, Feb. 6 if no agreement reached. 

HDSB secondary schools: Closed Tuesday, Feb. 4 (if no agreement reached)​

A tentative deal has not been reached therefore the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will engage in a one-day walkout impacting HDSB elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 3.  As a result, all elementary schools in the HDSB will be closed on Monday, Feb. 3 as there will not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety of students. Secondary schools will be open. 

Note: Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8 only. 

Be aware, it is possible that a province-wide walkout impacting all Ontario public elementary schools may occur on Thursday, Feb. 6, if a tentative agreement is not reached by then. 

These walkouts are a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). 

In the HDSB, ETFO represents: 

  • Permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in elementary schools 
  • Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) working in Kindergarten classrooms

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit the HDSB Employee Groups page on our website. 

Please note the following:
  • ​Adult Day and Night School Classes: Adult Day School Credit classes and Night School Credit, including all in-class and co-op classes, are not impacted.
  • Community Use Rentals: School rentals are not impacted.

We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

Our highest priority remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff. 

Thank you for your support and understanding. Your patience during this time is appreciated. 

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education
​ ​
​​​
ETFO Labour Update (Jan. 28​, 2020)

We would like to update you on the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) labour action. Yesterday (Monday, Jan. 27), ETFO announced two potential walkouts impacting HDSB elementary schools and the beginning of Phase 5 of labour sanctions next week. 

Potential HDSB Elementary School Closures on Monday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Feb. 6

ETFO announced it will hold a one-day walkout impacting HDSB elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 3 in addition to a province-wide walkout impacting all Ontario public school boards on Thursday, Feb. 6, if a tentative agreement is not reached by Friday, Jan. 31. These walkouts are a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). 

If these walkouts occur, the HDSB will have no choice but to close elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Feb. 6 as there would not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of students. Families are encouraged to make contingency plans for their child. HDSB secondary schools will remain open. Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8 only.

ETFO Labour Sanctions - Phase 5

ETFO announced yesterday Phase 5 of labour sanctions will begin Monday, Feb. 3 if no agreement is reached by Friday, Jan. 31. 

The sanctions identified by ETFO in Phase 5, effective Monday, Feb. 3, include: 
  • Not participating in any extracurricular activities starting Monday, Feb. 3

Specific information regarding the cancellation of school activities will be provided by your child’s school. 

In the HDSB, ETFO represents: 
  • Permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in elementary schools 
  • Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) working in Kindergarten classrooms

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit this page. 

Please note the following:
  • Adult School Classes: Adult school credit classes will not be impacted.
  • Community Use Rentals: Community use rentals will not be impacted.

​We will continue to provide families and staff with accurate and timely information as we are able through email, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education​

​​ ​ ​ ​
ETFO Labour Update (Jan. 22, 2020)

Jan. 22, 2020

Dear families of HDSB students,

We have been notified that the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will engage in a full withdrawal of services on Thursday, Jan 23. This one-day walkout is a result of central bargaining taking place between the union, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). We have been advised that ETFO members intend to return to work on Friday, Jan. 24.

As a result, all elementary schools in the HDSB will be closed on Thursday, Jan 23, as there would not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety of students.  Secondary schools will be open. 

Note: Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8. 

In the Halton District School Board, ETFO represents permanent and occasional teachers in elementary schools, as well as early childhood educators working in Kindergarten classrooms. 

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit the HDSB Employee Groups page on our website. 

Please note the following:

  • Adult Day and Night School Classes: Adult Day School Credit classes and Night School Credit, including all in-class and co-op classes, are not impacted.
  • Community Use Rentals: School rentals are not impacted.​


We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

Our highest priority remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff. 

Thank you for your support and understanding. Your patience during this time is appreciated. 

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education​

​​ ​
ETFO Labour Update (Jan. 21​, 2020)

Information on Jan. 23 ETFO one-day walkout and labour sanctions
Jan. 21, 2020

Dear families of elementary students,

Further to our message to elementary families on Sunday, Jan. 19, we are writing to provide you with additional information concerning the potential one-day walkout on Thursday, Jan. 23 by ETFO members if a tentative agreement is not reached by then.

How we will keep you informed

The HDSB will inform families of all labour updates on social media, by email, the HDSB website (www.hdsb.ca) and the HDSB Mobile App. All labour information is available here: www.hdsb.ca/our-board/Pages/Labour-Updates.aspx.

Childcare programs 

We have been advised that the Before & After School providers who operate programs in HDSB schools may offer full-day programs, similar to PA Days, for their current families on Thursday, Jan. 23. Before & After School program operators will communicate directly with families regarding the availability of these programs.    

Child Care Centres (for infants to age 3) that are located in schools will operate as normal. 

Pathways Information Evening 

The Pathways Information Evening will go ahead as scheduled on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at M.M. Robinson High School (2425 Upper Middle Road, Burlington). 

Secondary schools

All HDSB secondary schools will remain open on Thursday, Jan. 23. Aldershot School and Burlington Central School will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8 only. 

Report Cards 

Current labour sanctions direct teachers not to create comments for report cards or input data in the online report card template.  As a result, elementary schools in the HDSB will not distribute Term 1 Report Cards (Grade 1-8) and the Kindergarten Communication of Learning, if a tentative agreement is not reached. This decision comes after exploring every possible situation and is consistent with many other Ontario school boards that are currently facing provincial labour action.

This decision was made after careful consideration, including a thorough review of the processes, resources and time required to produce accurate report cards for the more than 45,000 elementary students in the HDSB. 

Individual student marks will not be provided to parent/guardians. Providing student marks without comments and context does not provide families with a comprehensive understanding of their child’s progress.  Individual Education Plans (IEPs) will continue to be updated, but will not be distributed. If you have questions regarding your child’s IEP, please contact your child’s teacher. Teachers will continue to communicate with families about their child’s education, as they have throughout the school year. While report cards are not being distributed, teachers’ evaluation of student progress will continue. As always, if you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher(s).​​

​Ministry of Education’s Reimbursement for Child Care

The Ontario Ministry of Education announced on Jan. 15 that the government will provide financial compensation to parents/guardians if labour action results in the closure of schools or school-based child care centres through a Support for Parents initiative. 

Eligible parents of children up to age 12 (Grade 7), or up to age 21 for children and youth with special needs, in a publicly funded school may qualify.  Please check the Support for Parents webpage to confirm whether you are eligible, and to access the application form. More details about this financial support can be found by visiting Ontario.ca/SupportForParents or by calling the Support for Parents Helpline at 888-444-3770.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,
Stuart Miller
Director of Education
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ETFO Labour Update (Jan. 18, 2020)
We would like to update you on the ETFO labour action. Families of elementary students will receive further information through SchoolMessenger. 

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has announced it will hold a one-day walkout on Thursday, Jan. 23 if a tentative agreement is not reached by then. This one-day walkout is a result of central bargaining taking place between the unions, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). 

If a one-day walkout occurs, the HDSB will have no choice but to close elementary schools on Thursday, Jan. 23 as there would not be adequate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of students. Families are encouraged to make contingency plans for their child. HDSB secondary schools will remain open. Grade 7-12 schools (i.e. Aldershot School and Burlington Central School) will be closed for students in Grade 7 and 8. 

We have been advised that ETFO members intend to return to work on Friday, Jan. 24.

In the HDSB, ETFO represents: 
  • Permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in elementary schools 
  • Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) working in Kindergarten classrooms

For a list of HDSB employee groups, please visit this page. 

We will continue to provide families and staff with accurate and timely information as we are able through email, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram).

To learn more about the Collective Bargaining process and current status updates, please visit this page: https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations. 

Our highest priority remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff.


Thank you for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Stuart Miller​
Director of Education
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ETFO Labour Update (Jan. 9, 2020)
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Dear families of elementary students,​​

As you are aware, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has been in a legal strike position since Nov. 25, 2019 with respect to central bargaining between ETFO, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). Since then, ETFO has been in labour sanctions. ETFO announced today they will begin Phase 3 of labour sanctions Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, and if no agreement has been reached, they will begin Phase 4 on Jan. 20, 2020. 

In the Halton District School Board, ETFO represents permanent and occasional (supply) teachers in elementary schools, as well as early childhood educators working in our Kindergarten classrooms. 
 
The sanctions identified by ETFO in Phase 3, effective Jan. 13, that may impact families include: 
  • Not planning or participating in school assemblies, except to provide supervision to students
  • Not participating in extracurricular activities (sports teams, clubs etc.) except for those that are scheduled within the regular school day
  • Not participating in field trips
  • Not arriving earlier than 30 minutes before the instructional day for students
  • Not remaining at school later than 15 minutes after the instructional day ends
 
Specific information regarding the cancellation of school activities will be provided by your child’s school. 

The sanctions identified by ETFO in Phase 4, effective Jan. 20, include: 
  • Not participating in any school board or Ministry professional learning.
 
ETFO has also announced that if no agreement is reached by Jan. 17, 2020, ETFO members will commence a full-withdrawal of services (strike) on a rotating basis effective Monday  Jan. 20, 2020. To date, there has been no announcement of which school boards will be affected by these rotating strikes.
 
It is important to note these labour sanctions are occurring at the central bargaining table between provincial unions, the Government of Ontario and OPSBA, and are not a reflection of relationships between the HDSB and our local unions.
We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through SchoolMessenger, the HDSB website and the Board’s social media pages (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram​).

Thank you for your support and understanding.

 
Sincerely,

Stuart Miller
Director of Education
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Burlington, Ontario, L7P 5A8

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