Update - April 20, 2020
OSSTF
The York Catholic District School Board is very pleased to learn that the Ministry of Education and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) have reached a tentative agreement at the provincial level. Ratification votes with OSSTF members are tentatively set for May.
OECTA
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA) on March 12, 2020.
On April 8, 2020, OECTA announced that its members ratified the agreement on central terms for a new contract.
Update - March 4, 2020
OECTA
We have been notified by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) that their members will conduct a one-day strike on Thursday, March 5.
As a result:
- All YCDSB schools are closed to students
- Transportation to schools is cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents must make alternate child care arrangements. You cannot send your children to school.
Update - February 28, 2020
OECTA
If a tentative agreement cannot be reached beforehand, a one-day strike will take place on Thursday, March 5:
- All YCDSB schools will be closed to students
- Transportation will be cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents are encouraged to start making alternate child care arrangements.
Update - February 25, 2020
OECTA
Earlier this week the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) announced that rotating strikes planned for this week are cancelled.
As a result, all York Catholic schools will be open for regular school activities and student transportation will operate as usual for eligible students.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will ensure all stakeholders are kept informed.
Updates will continue to be posted to this page and are also available on Twitter (@ycdsb).
Update - February 20, 2020
OECTA
OECTA and provincial representatives are currently at the bargaining table. If a tentative agreement cannot be reached today, a one-day strike will take place tomorrow, Friday, February 21:
- All YCDSB schools will be closed to students
- Transportation to schools will be cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents are encouraged to start making alternate child care arrangements.
Update - February 12, 2020
OECTA
If a tentative agreement cannot be reached beforehand, a one-day strike will take place on Friday, February 21:
- All YCDSB schools will be closed to students
- Transportation to schools will be cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents are encouraged to start making alternate child care arrangements.
Update - February 7, 2020
OECTA
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) has announced its members will begin an enhanced administrative job action on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
All elementary and secondary teachers at the York Catholic District School Board are members of OECTA.
Here is the media release issued by OECTA.
We understand that a job action can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will continue to ensure all stakeholders are kept informed.
Update - February 3, 2020
OECTA
We have been notified by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) that their members will conduct a one-day strike on Tuesday, February 4.
As a result:
- All YCDSB schools are closed to students
- Transportation to schools is cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents must make alternate child care arrangements. You cannot send your children to school.
NOTE: YCDSB schools will be open on Wednesday, Feb. 5, Thursday, Feb. 6 and Friday, Feb. 7
OECTA has advised that their members will picket at most YCDSB high school locations and four elementary schools: St. Nicholas, St. Patrick Markham, St. Emily and St. Mary of the Angels.
If you find yourself needing to cross a picket line, please respect the rights of OECTA members to engage in this legal job action. This may include being held up briefly at the picket line before entering school property; this is a normal situation with legal picket lines.
We understand that a job action can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will continue to ensure all stakeholders are kept informed.
Update - January 29, 2020
OECTA
If a tentative agreement cannot be reached beforehand, a one-day strike will take place on Tuesday, February 4:
- All YCDSB schools will be closed to students
- Transportation will be cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents are encouraged to start making alternate child care arrangements.
CUPE
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) and CUPE Local 2331 have reached a tentative agreement.
The YCDSB Board of Trustees ratified the tentative settlement at its Board Meeting on January 28, 2020. CUPE Local 2331 has scheduled a ratification vote for its members on February 5, 2020.
Update - January 20, 2020
OECTA
A one-day strike will take place on Tuesday, January 21:
- All YCDSB schools will be closed to students
- Transportation will be cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents must make alternate child care arrangements.
OECTA has advised that their members will picket at most YCDSB school locations. If you find yourself needing to cross a picket line, please respect the rights of OECTA members to engage in this legal job action. This may include being held up briefly at the picket line before entering school property; this is a normal situation with legal picket lines.
View list of picket locations for January 21, 2020.
Financial support from the province
On January 15, the Ontario government announced that it will provide financial support for parents/guardians during strikes. Eligibility is limited to parents/guardians whose children are enrolled in a school or attending a school-based child care centre that is fully closed due to a strike. Eligible parents/guardians 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, qualify for:
- $60/day for children aged 0 to 6 who are not yet enrolled in school, but attend a school-based child care centre that is required to close on account of a strike
- $40/day for students in Junior (JK) or Senior Kindergarten (SK)
- $25/day for students in Grades 1 to 7
- $40 total/day for students in JK to Grade 12 (or aged 21 and under) with special needs
For more information about financial support and to apply online, visit the Government of Ontario website.
Update - January 17, 2020
OECTA
If the OECTA one-day strike occurs on Tuesday, January 21:
- All YCDSB schools will be closed to students
- Transportation will be cancelled
- Most Childcare Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON programs will operate (please check with your individual program operator to confirm)
Parents are encouraged to start making alternate child care arrangements as a precaution.
NOTE: All YCDSB schools will be OPEN on Monday, January 20, 2020.
OECTA has advised that their members will picket at most YCDSB school locations, as well as the Board’s Catholic Education Centre. If you find yourself needing to cross a picket line, please respect the rights of OECTA members to engage in this legal job action. This may include being held up briefly at the picket line before entering school property; this is a normal situation with legal picket lines.
We understand that a job action can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will continue to ensure all stakeholders are kept informed.
Update - January 13, 2020
OECTA
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA), has announced that if a negotiated settlement cannot be reached at the provincial level, a one-day strike by its members will take place across the province on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
All teachers at the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) are members of OECTA.
The health and safety of students is our primary concern. Therefore, if this one-day strike occurs, all YCDSB schools will be closed to students for the day. Transportation will also be cancelled. Parents are encouraged to start making alternate child care arrangements as a precaution.
Please note, all YCDSB Child Care Centres, Before and After School programs and Early ON centres will continue to operate.
Update - January 12, 2020
OECTA
Today, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) announced that a tentative agreement has not been reached with the Province and a legal job action will begin on Monday, January 13, 2020.
Please note that all YCDSB schools will be open during this job action and classes will continue. Transportation for eligible students will also operate.
However, as part of the job action, OECTA stated that its members will not participate in any EQAO-related activities. As a result, the Grade 9 EQAO Math assessment has been postponed at all YCDSB high schools.
We understand that a labour disruption can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and we will do our best to ensure all stakeholders are kept informed throughout the process.
Parents are encouraged to contact their local school principal with questions specific to their school.
Update - January 9, 2020
OECTA
Members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) have been in a legal strike position since December 21, 2019. Yesterday they announced plans to begin work-to-rule sanctions on Monday, January 13, 2020, if a tentative settlement is not reached by that time.
Please note that teachers will report to work during this work-to-rule and all YCDSB schools will be open.
We understand that a labour disruption can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and will ensure all stakeholders are kept informed throughout the process. As a Catholic school board, YCDSB respects collective bargaining and is hopeful that a freely negotiated agreement will be reached soon.
Parents are encouraged to contact their local school principal with issues or questions specific to their school.
Update - December 13, 2019
OSSTF
On Friday, December 13, OSSTF announced their members will conduct a one-day withdrawal of service at 10 boards on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
YCDSB staff who are members of OSSTF include psychologists, speech pathologists, behavioural specialists, occupational therapists, etc.
If the one-day strike takes place, please be advised that all YCDSB schools will be open and classes will take place as usual.
Update - December 4, 2019
OECTA
On December 4, 2019, the Ministry of Labour issued a No Board report which means that OECTA members will be in a legal strike position as of December 21, 2019. The last day of school before the Christmas break is December 20.
According to the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, OECTA must provide a minimum of five days written notice of any job action.
Additional central bargaining dates are scheduled on December 5, 6, 10 and 11, 2019.
Update - December 2, 2019
OSSTF
On Thursday, November 28, OSSTF announced their members will conduct a one-day withdrawal of service on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. An additional negotiation session took place on December 1 and another one is set for December 3, 2019.
YCDSB staff who are members of OSSTF include psychologists, speech pathologists, behavioural specialists, occupational therapists, etc.
If the one-day strike takes place, please be advised that all YCDSB schools will be open and classes will take place as usual.
OECTA
On Friday, November 29, 2019, OECTA requested that the conciliator file a “No Board Report” with the Minister of Labour. This started the timeline to place OECTA in a legal strike position across the province as of December 20, 2019.
Additional central bargaining dates have been set for December 5, 6, 10 and 11, 2019.
Update - November 21, 2019
OSSTF
Today OSSTF announced that its members will begin an administrative work to rule campaign on November 26, 2019.
YCDSB staff who are members of OSSTF include psychologists, speech pathologists, behavioural specialists, occupational therapists, etc.
YCDSB high school teachers are not members of OSSTF, they are members of OECTA along with the Board’s elementary teachers.
Update - November 19, 2019
CUPE
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) and CUPE Local 1571 reached a tentative agreement over the weekend. Details of the tentative agreement are confidential and subject to ratification by both the YCDSB and the Union.
CUPE Local 1571 stated that it will hold a ratification vote for its members on November 23, 2019. The YCDSB Board of Trustees will have the tentative agreement brought forward for ratification at its Board Meeting on November 26, 2019.
OECTA
On, November 18, 2019, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) filed for conciliation in their negotiations with the province.
Update - November 14, 2019
OSSTF Education Workers
Having received a “No Board” report from the MInistry of Labour on November 1, OSSTF will be in a legal strike position as of Monday, November 18. However, strike votes by OSSTF members across the province will not be complete until Friday, November 15.
OSSTF has announced there will be no legal strike action by its members on November 18.
Additional bargaining dates are set for November 14-21, 2019.
YCDSB staff who are members of OSSTF include psychologists, speech pathologists, behavioural specialists, occupational therapists, etc.
OECTA (Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association)
OECTA completed its strike votes across the province on November 13 and announced that 97.1 per cent of its members voted in favour of strike action.
To date, no request for conciliation has been made and a “No Board” report has not been issued. New bargaining dates are currently being determined.
All teachers at YCDSB, both elementary and secondary, are members of OECTA.
Update - November 4, 2019
CUPE
After a series of ratification votes across the province over the past few weeks, the central terms contained within the Memorandum of Settlement signed October 6, 2019 were ratified by all parties.
Local bargaining continues across the province at all Catholic school boards.
OSSTF Education Workers
On November 1, 2019, the Ministry of Labour issued a “No Board Report.” This means that OSSTF-EW will be in a legal strike position as of November 18, 2019.
Strike votes by OSSTF-EW members are continuing and are expected to be completed by November 15, 2019. Additional bargaining dates have been set for November 14-21, 2019.
OECTA
The parties met to continue central bargaining on October 31 and November 1, 2019. OECTA is currently conducting its strike votes and expects that the process will be completed by November 13, 2019.
To date, no request for conciliation has been made. New bargaining dates are currently being determined.
Update - October 28, 2019
OSSTF Education Workers
On October 23, 2019, OSSTF Education Workers requested a “no board” report. Strike votes are continuing and expected to be completed by November 15, 2019.
OSSTF will likely be in a legal strike position on November 18, 2019.
OECTA
The parties met to continue central bargaining on October 22 and 23, 2019. Further dates are scheduled for October 31 and November 1, 2019. OECTA is currently conducting its strike votes and expects that the process will be completed by November 13, 2019.
Update - October 22, 2019
OSSTF
- Central bargaining continues on October 29 and 30
- The Union has not filed for conciliation to date
- Media reports have indicated that the Union is in the process of conducting strike votes with its Locals across the province
OECTA
- Central bargaining continues – the parties involved have met approximately 20 times to date
- The next central bargaining date is October 31
- On October 16, 2019, OECTA notified the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) and the Crown (Province) that its bargaining team will be recommending to its Provincial Executive to engage in strike votes
- These strike votes have been scheduled and will be complete after the second week of November (approximately)
Update - October 10, 2019
On October 6, CUPE and the Province announced they had reached a new collective agreement. This tentative agreement is in the process of being ratified by CUPE members.
In the meantime, local bargaining continues between YCDSB and CUPE Locals 2331 and 1571. Negotiations took place on several days in September and the following dates have been set for October and November:
- CUPE 2331: October 2, 23, 24
- CUPE 1571: October 18, November 14, 15
Update - October 6, 2019
The York Catholic District School Board is very pleased to learn that the Provincial and CUPE Bargaining teams have negotiated a new collective agreement. As a result, CUPE will NOT be on strike tomorrow, Monday, October 7, 2019.
Please be advised that all York Catholic schools are OPEN for regular school activities and student transportation will operate as usual for eligible students.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will ensure all stakeholders are kept informed.
Updates will continue to be posted to this page and are also available on Twitter (@ycdsb).
Update - October 3, 2019
The health and safety of students and staff is the Board’s primary concern and responsibility. As a result, in consultation with our Board of Trustees, the decision has been made to close our schools to students in the event there is a strike by CUPE members on Monday, October 7. This closure would be for the duration of the strike action.
If schools are closed to students, this also means that Before and After School programs, Early ON centres, and other school-based programs, will not operate. However, all Child Care Centres located in our schools will remain open with the exception of St. Rene Goupil/St. Luke CES and St. Joseph (Richmond Hill) CES.
As a precaution, parents are encouraged to make alternate child care arrangements since students will not be able to go to school.
At the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB), CUPE members provide a number of important services. Not having these employees at work in our schools would mean the following:
- No front office staff (e.g. School Secretaries, etc.) to manage Safe School protocols such as confirming student attendance
- No Educational Assistants (EAs)/Educational Interveners (EIs) to ensure the care and safety of students with special needs
- No Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in Kindergarten classrooms
- No Custodians to keep washrooms and fountains clean and sanitary, and manage facility safety protocols such as fire alarms
- No Lunchtime Supervisors to oversee elementary students
If we are notified that a negotiated settlement was not reached on Sunday and students cannot go to school on Monday, you will be notified via School Messenger (both phone and email messages) on Sunday, October 6 or early Monday morning should bargaining go late into Sunday night. Updates will also be posted to the Board website and Twitter account (@ycdsb).
As a Catholic school board, YCDSB respects collective bargaining and is hopeful that a freely negotiated agreement will be reached by the Sunday deadline. While we are not involved in central bargaining, we are confident the parties involved are working hard to achieve an agreement.
Updates are also available via Twitter (follow @ycdsb).
Update - October 2, 2019
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has provided notice that they will escalate to a strike – withdrawal of all services – across the province on Monday, October 7, 2019, if a negotiated settlement is not reached by that date.
Families are strongly encouraged to begin making alternate childcare arrangements for their children prior to the possible strike. This strike action may result in school closures which will mean students cannot go to school. The Board is currently considering options that are in the best interest of its students.
We will continue to provide updates and information via this page and our Twitter account @ycdsb.
The health and safety of students and staff remains the Board’s primary concern.
Update - September 30, 2019
As you may be aware from recent media reports, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), is currently in the process of negotiating a renewed provincial collective agreement, and is in a legal strike position as of Monday, September 30, 2019.
It is now the Board’s understanding that provincial negotiations have broken down and CUPE will begin implementing work to rule sanctions on Monday, September 30.
As always, the safety and well being of YCDSB students is of paramount importance to the Board and its staff, and we have put measures in place to ensure this continues during the work to rule sanctions.
The Board wishes to reassure parents, students and our communities that every effort will be made to ensure that all elementary and secondary schools, child care centres, before and after-school programs, and nutrition/lunch programs will continue as long as it is safe to do so. School bus transportation for eligible students will also continue.
We understand that a labour disruption can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and will ensure all stakeholders are kept informed throughout the process. As a Catholic school board, YCDSB respects collective bargaining and is hopeful that a freely negotiated agreement will be reached soon.
Parents are encouraged to contact their local school principal with issues or questions specific to their school.
Related Links
Update - September 28, 2019
As a result of provincial negotiations, CUPE has advised YCDSB that their members will be in a legal strike position as of Monday, September 30, 2019. In the event that an agreement is not reached at the provincial level by the September 30 deadline, CUPE members will begin legal job action in the form of work to rule sanctions on September 30.
As always, the health and safety of YCDSB students and staff is the Board’s primary concern and will continue to be a priority should there be a legal job action by CUPE. If there is any impact on regular school operations as a result of a job action, parents will be notified through School Messenger (please ensure that your school has up-to-date telephone numbers and email addresses for your family).
Parents and members of the public can also access up-to-date information by following the Board on Twitter (@ycdsb) and checking the Collective Bargaining Update page of the Board’s website (www.ycdsb.ca).
YCDSB wishes to reassure parents and students that every effort will be made to ensure that all elementary and secondary schools, child care centres, before and after-school programs, and nutrition/lunch programs will continue as long as it is safe to do so. School bus transportation for eligible students will also continue.
If CUPE declares further job action, the Board will be notified five (5) days in advance; and, if there is additional impact to regular school operations, parents will be notified through the methods listed above.
We understand that a labour disruption can be unsettling for students, parents and school communities, and will ensure all stakeholders are kept informed throughout the process. As a Catholic school board, YCDSB respects collective bargaining and is hopeful that a freely negotiated agreement will be reached soon. We are not involved in central bargaining, however, are confident the parties involved are working hard to achieve an agreement.
Parents are encouraged to contact their local school principal with issues or questions specific to their school.
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has three (3) union partners:
- Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
- Accounting Clerks, Couriers, Custodial and Maintenance staff, Adult ESL/International Language Instructors, CEC Clerical staff, Educational Assistants (EAs), Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), Educational Intervenors (EIs), Library Technicians, Lunchtime Supervisors, Lunch Office Support Workers, and School Secretarial staff
- Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA)
- Elementary, Secondary and Occasional Teachers
- Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF)
- Attendance Counsellors, Behavior Resource Workers, Communicative Disorders Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists including Psycho-Educational Consultants and Psychological Associates, Speech/Language Pathologists, and Technicians
Publicly-funded education in Ontario uses a two-tier bargaining process:
- Central – province-wide issues e.g. compensation, class sizes
- Local – issues specific to each Board of Education e.g. management rights, contracting out, etc.
This means that the central body of each union negotiates with the province AND their local units bargain with each individual school board. Different aspects of a collective agreement are negotiated at each level.
Collective agreements for all three of YCDSB’s union partners expired on August 31, 2019.
Central Bargaining Status
| Union | Status |
|---|---|
| OECTA | Ongoing |
| OSSTF | Ongoing |
Local Bargaining Dates Scheduled
| Union | Dates |
|---|---|
| OECTA | TBD – after central bargaining is complete. |
| OSSTF | TBD – after central bargaining is complete. |
YCDSB is working with its union partners to keep the lines of communication open in a positive and respectful manner. YCDSB staff are reviewing contingency plans in preparation for a potential labour disruption and will keep parents, students and other stakeholders informed throughout the process.
YCDSB will negotiate in good faith to continue to foster positive labour relations with all of its union partners. The YCDSB has worked with its union partners to prepare for the upcoming round of bargaining, including developing communication and contingency plans.