Local education workers joined thousands of others across the province Friday morning to picket local MPP offices, initiating the province-wide CUPE strike.
Included in the strike are custodial and maintenance staff, as well as ESL instructors.
The provincial government enacted a law imposing a contract on CUPE workers, making it illegal for them to strike. Picketers could be charged up to $4,000 a day with fines of up to $500,000 for the union. CUPE said earlier they plan to pay for the fines.
Adult ESL classes and community use of schools are impacted by the strike. Local schools, however, remain open for the time being.
Schools may close next week as it will be difficult to remain open due to health and safety concerns without CUPE caretakes and maintenance staff.
