Please be advised that we have received forty-eight (48) hour notice from CUPE Local 5050 advising us that they will be in legal strike action as of 6:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010. This means that they will be withdrawing all services. Services which would normally be provided by the following classifications; maintenance, custodial, bus drivers, mechanics, library technicians, clerical, accounting clerks, lunch/bus/grounds supervisors, bus assistants, teacher assistants, computer technicians and student support workers.

As further information becomes available updates will be provided through the Board website. We will be in close contact with the media and they will be reporting events as they occur.

Schools will remain open and teachers will continue to teach in their classrooms. Our focus will continue to be the safety, security and education of students within our jurisdiction. We will require your support in meeting our obligations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Human Resources Department.

/amm

AN OPEN LETTER TO STUDENTS, PARENT(s)/GUARDIAN(s), TEACHERS, CONFIDENTIAL STAFF,SAC’S AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM THE CHAIR OF THE CAPE BRETON-VICTORIA REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD:

Dear Students, Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Teachers, Confidential staff and Community members:

The possibility exists that a strike by our CUPE Local 5050 staff in their dispute with the provincial government will occur on January 18, 2010. This includes maintenance, custodial, bus drivers, mechanics, library technicians, clerical, accounting clerks, lunch/bus/grounds supervisors, bus assistants, teacher assistants, computer technicians and student support workers.

Information and announcements will be released to the media and posted on our internet website under the “Strike Information” link (www.cbv.ns.ca).

While we are hopeful that the strike can be averted, we must prepare for possible disruption in our schools.

Schools will remain open and teachers will continue to teach in their classrooms. Our focus will continue to be the safety, security and education of students within our jurisdiction.

• School buses will not operate. Parents will have to make other arrangements to get bussed students to and from schools.
• All site-based extra-curricular activities will be cancelled.
• All cafeterias will close during the strike.
• Parents are asked to watch the local newspaper and the school board website (www.cbv.ns.ca) for information pertaining to the school during any job action. Radio announcements will be made if any emergency situations arise.
• Parents may call the school for homework and assignments or check the school website if for some reason their child is unable to attend classes.
• If at some point the school is closed to the students, instructional work packages will be available at the school. Students can pick up these packages and continue their school program at home.
• Parents of students with special needs will be contacted individually by the school.

Whatever our views or positions and actions taken, I urge respect, caring and compassion for the people involved.

As always, our chief focal point must be the educational welfare of our children.

Yours truly,
Lorne Green
Chair of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board

M E M O

Another school year is coming to an end, which means it is Record of Employment time. All records of employment will be done after pay period June 15 – 27, which will be paid on July 16, 2009, is complete. All records are sent online to Service Canada. Starting June, 2009, records of employment will no longer be sent to the employees. However, a record can to be sent, upon request, to the employee. Also, all employees filing online should note the reference code when filing which is as follows:

1512012009000028

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the payroll office at 564-8293.

Have a great summer!

JP/aeh