What the GTA school boards are planning if Ontario's education workers strike again

With another possible education workers' strike in Ontario Monday, school boards are once again making plans for how to cope if there's no deal reached with the province.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) gave a five-day strike notice on Wednesday after bargaining with the province broke down.

Negotiations will continue through the weekend until 5 p.m. Sunday, the union has said. But if there's no agreement, some 55,000 workers will walk off the job for the second time this month.

The Ministry of Education has instructed school boards to enable a "speedy transition to remote learning" if they determine they can't safely keep schools open. 

Here are local school boards' plans if a strike happens:

All TDSB schools will be closed for in-person learning, the board says. Instead, students who can get online will begin live virtual learning.

Schools will distribute devices to students who might require them as soon as possible. But since that could take several days, teachers are asked to provide students with five or more days of asynchronous (not live) work, so that their learning isn't interrupted.

TDSB-operated and third-party operated Early ON Child and Family Centres will also be closed, along with extended day programs. Continuing Education classes are also cancelled, though various remote programs including secondary night school will continue as usual.

"We know that this is a challenging time for families, and we continue to work on plans to ensure learning continues and students are supported during any potential disruption," the board said. For more information, you can visit www.tdsb.on.ca/labour.

All TCDSB schools will be closed for in-person learning, with live virtual learning taking place instead.

Students who don't have a personal device for online learning can speak to their principal about getting a temporary one, the board says. 

Before, after-school, EarlyON Child and Family Centres will also be closed to in-person programs. 

"We know this time will be challenging for our students and families and we pray that a negotiated settlement can be reached," the board said. Further updates will be posted on its website at www.tcdsb.org.

All YRDSB schools will be closed for in-person learning, with students learning live online instead.