Protect September: Get To The Table Now
Why We Are Raising the Alarm
As the custodians, EAs, clerical staff, IT professionals, and Continuing Education/ESL staff of CUPE Local 218, we take pride in keeping Durham’s schools safe, clean, operational, and running smoothly every single day.
Our current collective agreement expires on August 31st. To ensure our schools face absolutely zero disruption and our children can continue learning in stable classrooms this fall, we proactively reached out to both school boards to secure bargaining dates over the summer months.
The boards’ response? Silence.
The school boards claim they cannot set dates because the provincial government told them to wait until “central scope” is determined provincially. But hidebound bureaucracy does not protect our students. Using provincial red tape as an excuse to avoid local conversations leaves our communities completely in the dark. If the school boards truly care about a stable, seamless transition into the new school year, why refuse to even sit at the table and start the conversation?
Who is prioritizing our kids? We need your help to send a clear message to local school boards and provincial leadership alike: Protect September. Set the bargaining dates now.
Take Action: Contact the Decision-Makers
Please use the directory below to contact local and provincial decision-makers. Let them know that Durham families demand school stability this fall.
1. Local School Boards
Tell local Trustees and Directors to stop hiding behind provincial excuses and schedule local bargaining dates.
Durham District School Board (DDSB)
Director of Education: Camille Williams-Taylor-
Phone Number: 905-666-5500
Toll-Free: 1-800-265-3968
Board Chair: Tracy Brown
General Email: trustees@ddsb.ca
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB)
Director of Education: Gerard Winn
Phone Number: 905-576-6150 ext. 22317
Toll-Free: 1-877-482-0722
Board Chair: Morgan Ste. Marie
General Email: board@dcdsb.ca
2. Provincial Leadership
Tell the provincial government to clear the path for local school boards to bargain immediately so September is protected.
Premier Doug Ford
Email: premier@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-325-1941
Minister of Education (Paul Calandra)
Email: paul.calandra@pc.ola.org
Ministry Phone: 416-325-2600
Updated Email Template for Parents
Parents can copy, paste, and send this text to both local and provincial emails listed above:
Subject: Protect September – Prioritize Durham Students
Dear Trustees, Directors, and Provincial Leaders,
As a parent and community member in Durham, I am writing to demand immediate action to secure the stability of the upcoming school year. CUPE Local 218 education workers asked to bargain this summer, but the school boards have refused to set dates, claiming they must wait on provincial “central scope” directives.
Using central bureaucracy as an excuse to ignore a looming August 31st contract deadline is unacceptable. Our students deserve safe, clean, and fully operational classrooms from day one this September.
Hiding behind red tape does not prioritize families. I urge the school boards to get to the table locally, and I urge provincial leadership to clear the path for them to do so immediately. Show our community that you put our children first.
Sincerely,
– Your name and contact information
