Start of classes delayed Monday morning as Montreal teachers among those on strike

The start of the school day will be delayed for Montreal students Monday as teachers, educators and other school staff hit the picket lines.

Classes are set to begin around 11 a.m. at major school boards like the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) and Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB).

The school workers are walking off the job as part of a larger public-sector worker strike in Quebec.

Three union federations describing themselves as a “common front” representing more than 400,000 public sector workers rejected a new contract offer from the Quebec government over the weekend.

Monday’s walkout could be followed by further action, including a full strike, the unions warn.

Teachers, daycare workers, caretakers and cafeteria workers are on strike beginning Monday at midnight until 10:30 a.m.

English Montreal School Board

At the EMSB, supervision in school yards will begin at 10:50 a.m. in elementary schools, with classes set to begin at 11 a.m. Classes at EMSB adult education and vocational education schools will also begin at 11 a.m.

The school boards warns bus transportation services and daycare services in the elementary schools will not be provided Monday morning.

“Daycare services for students already registered, and bus transportation with certain exceptions will resume in the afternoon following the regular schedule,” the EMSB said in a memo.

“Rest assured that the safety and security of our students and employees always remain our priority. The strike actions may cause an increase in traffic circulation around the schools. We ask that you be extra vigilant in the school zone when dropping off your children and be cautious of our youth and adult learners who walk to school.”

Lester B. Pearson School Board

At the LBPSB, classes will begin at 11 a.m. in elementary, high schools and adult education and vocational training centres. There will be no daycare services or bus transportation in the morning.

Both EMSB and LBPSB are reminding parents about a separate strike involving Transco school bus drivers that could affect pickup from school Monday.

Around 340 Montreal school bus drivers went on strike Tuesday, affecting the commute of some 15,000 students.

WATCH: Hundreds of Montreal school bus drivers on unlimited strike

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

SWLSB schools and adult education centres are scheduled to reopen for students at 10:45 a.m., with classes beginning at 11:15 a.m.

The school board says students will not be penalized for not being at school that day.

There will be no school buses and no daycare services that morning; they will resume in the afternoon.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation during this time,” the SWLSB said in a memo. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority, and we thank you for your understanding.”

French schools are also impacted by the public-sector worker strike.

The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) says classes, daycare and bus service will resume Monday afternoon. Vocational and adult education programs will begin at 11 a.m.