EMSB latest school board to suspend classes next week for strike

The English Montreal School Board is the latest to confirm its schools will be closed three days next week amid ongoing public workers’ strikes in the province.

EMSB teachers, support staff, educators, daycare employees, cafeteria workers and others will be on strike Nov. 21 to 23.

All EMSB elementary and high schools will be closed; adult and vocational classes will be cancelled; daycare services will not be provided.

“Rest assured that we will inform you if there are any changes to the situation,” the EMSB said in a notice to parents. “We are aware that this strike may inconvenience your family. We appreciate your understanding and collaboration during this time.”

The EMSB is joining the Lester B. Pearson School Board, which will also see its schools closed those days.

It’s all part of a major strike movement for public-sector employees in the province.

Members of a “common front” of four major public sector unions in Quebec – the CSN, the CSQ, the APTS and the FTQ – have also promised to strike those same three days.

The Federation interprofessionnelle de la sante du Quebec (FIQ) says its members will walk off the job Nov. 23 and 24. So will CEGEP teachers and other members of the the Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ).

The roughly 65,000 teachers in the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) are expected to launch an unlimited general strike on Nov. 23. That will mean classes at EMSB’s FACE school will be cancelled indefinitely as of that day.