WECDSB Director Paul Picard talks about the 2015 OSSLT results in an Assumption High School classroom, September 23, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld) WECDSB Director Paul Picard talks about the 2015 OSSLT results in an Assumption High School classroom, September 23, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

'Nobody Enjoys This' Says Catholic Board Head Of Strike

The director at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board says he has to admit, it has not been business as usual during the support workers strike.

There are no new talks planned with Unifor 2458, and at this point, no expectations the labour dispute will come to an end any time soon.

"We are hopeful that a conciliator will find common ground here to get the parties back to the bargaining table," says Director Paul Picard.

Over the past week and a half, vandalism at St.Anne's Catholic High School has been reported, students at several Windsor-Essex Catholic high schools have walked out, and teachers continue to be held up at the picket line for some times long periods of time.

Parents have complained their children are left in cafeterias and gymnasiums for extended periods of time waiting for their teachers, but Picard says the wait has improved in the past couple of days.

As for the cleanliness of schools, Picard says he was in a school as late as Monday night and didn't take issue with its condition.

"Certainly our administrative staff are spending some long hours that our buildings are in very good shape," he says.

The strike enters day 11 on Thursday.

- With files from Ricardo Veneza.

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Related: Suspended Villanova High School Teachers Reinstated

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