Labour action kills programs, including breakfast, at Peel schools

The Peel District School Board is ramping up labour action and limiting services as educators push for a deal with the provincial government. 

"At this point, business as usual is no longer an option," Peel's education director Tony Pontes said in a notice issued Wednesday to parents and guardians of elementary school students.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has entered phase three of work-to-rule and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) groups representing secretaries and custodians are in phase two of their campaigns.

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The board released a list of activities cancelled or postponed as a result of job action. Effective immediately, the following programs will no longer be available to students:

• Field trips.
• Initiatives requiring money to be collected by the school, including food days and breakfast programs.
• Open houses and other school events such as fall fairs. 
• School council activities, including elections and meetings.
• Printed school newsletters. 
• Recycling and compost programs.

The education director said he has told school officials to focus on keeping schools open, ensuring staff and students are safe and that student learning continues. Pontes added he is trying to maintain extracurricular sports, but there's a chance they might be cancelled, as well. 

Job action has led to other changes in schools including secretaries no longer handling money and custodians not sweeping hallways. 

"We understand your disappointment — and we share it," the education director's statement said. "We will continue to monitor the job action's impact on elementary students and we remain committed to keeping you informed."

ETFO agreed this week to resume talks with the government of Ontario. Negotiations are set to start Monday.