Statement from Chair of the Board
Posted on 11/04/2022
The following is a statement from LDSB Chair of the Board Suzanne Ruttan.
Thursday afternoon [Nov. 3, 2022] OPSBA released a statement as follows: “It is extremely disappointing that we have not been able to reach a negotiated agreement at this time among CUPE, the Crown and the employer. As a result of the anticipated strike action, schools in many of our member boards will be forced to close to students for in-person instruction tomorrow [Friday], and for the duration of this strike action by CUPE members.”
With CUPE employees making up 30% of Limestone DSB employees, we had no choice but to close schools for in-person learning due to significant health and safety concerns. Limestone’s CUPE employees are highly valued staff who provide a wide range of critical support functions in classrooms, schools, and across the system. Normal operations are not possible without these services. We were hopeful for a fair and negotiated resolution to the current labour impasse, we remain committed to the principle of collective bargaining, and hope the current disruption is short-lived so we can resume in-person learning as soon as possible.
Suzanne Ruttan
Chair of the Board
Trustee South Frontenac