A union official representing a thousand education workers with the Lambton Kent District School Board says more time and more money is needed to safely return to school.
Michele LaLonge-Davey, president of CUPE 1238, told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Thursday morning they're still demanding reduced class sizes.
"Even when you talk to Dr. Ranade or Dr. Colby, health professionals across the province, physical distancing is the key safe measure in respecting and dealing with COVID," said LaLonge-Davey. "Physical distancing, barriers and PPE (personal protective equipment) should be near the end, because if you can keep physical distancing that's huge. That is huge."
LaLonge-Davey said she personally feels the planned September 8 school start should be delayed.
"I believe more time is required, if not, the resources in place. If you're not going to give the resources to get things to the funded level we wish, I believe more time is required. I think there's been a lot of pressure on everybody, and I think that this could have been addressed a long time ago."
LaLonge-Davey expressed confidence that teachers and other education workers, parents and others taking political action will win out, and Premier Doug Ford will approve additional resources.
The province's back-to-school plan announced July 30 has also been criticized as being unsafe and underfunded by teachers' unions.
CUPE 1238 represents EAs, ECEs, secretaries, IT, speech pathologists and maintenance staff within the Lambton Kent District School Board.
-With files from Sue Storr