KAWARTHA LAKES-Approximately 850 local CUPE members will begin a work-to-rule campaign tomorrow across the Trillium Lakelands District School Board.
CUPE represents custodians, clerical staff, educational assistants, library staff, food staff and more.
Talks broke off between the Ministry and union officials today. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, blames the union.
“It is deeply disappointing that CUPE has decided to end talks this weekend, and proceed with a partial withdrawal of services, despite a limited number of outstanding items at the table.” Lecce said in a Press Release. “The Crown and the employers tabled a reasonable offer and expanded our offer through the negotiations with one interest in mind: landing a deal that keeps our kids in class. We have offered proposals to address compensation, job security and funding for additional staffing. A key issue that remains is resolving rising absenteeism rates, and the impact that has on students and schools.
Phase one of the Work-to-Rule is set to start tomorrow. The union says staff have been given the following instructions, “No CUPE member will ever do anything or omit any practice that makes a school unsafe or puts any student at any risk – that is always emphasized to members and they themselves often bring it up as a caveat in these work-to-rule discussions. Parents can always be assured that safety for students is a given with CUPE members.”
Here is the list of actions to be taken provided by CUPE.
Effective September 30, 2019
General All Classifications Instructions: Phase 1
- Do not perform the duties of any other member or classification
- Wear an OSBCU job action wrist band
- Do not attend training sessions on unpaid time
- Take breaks/lunch with other CUPE members
- Only work overtime if paid at the applicable rate defined in the Collective Agreement (no Lieu Time)
- No volunteering, (coaching, clubs, etc..) or non-paid activities
- No supervision of co-op placements, student practicums etc.
- Wear purple or another visible show of solidarity on bargaining days and Education
Wednesday
- Display OSBCU work to rule materials (provided by OSBCU)
- Work at a safe pace – Complete each task as assigned, prior to starting new task
- Do not answer emails, texts or calls from supervisors outside of work hours
- No volunteers performing any portion of our work
- Attend meetings only on work time
- Report personal absences, (as per collective agreement/policy) but do not secure
replacement for your position
- Do not use personal devices, at any time, for work purposes
- Return any board provided devices to supervisor at the end of shift (walkie talkie, cell
phone, iPad, computer etc.)
- Get work request in detail and in writing
- Only check board email prior to shift end
- No ordering of consumables
- No purchasing of items
- Take personal belongings and personally prepared material home
- Travel only on work time
- Do not cover duties of unfilled (absent) members positon
