Successful weekend negotiations between the province and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) had many parents breathing a sigh of relief on Monday morning, as a tentative deal was struck and a strike was averted. CUPE represents educational assistants, custodians, secretaries, early childhood educators and librarians who work in the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB), and custodians and maintenance staff in the Bluewater District School Board (BDSB). While the schools that are part of the BDSB would have remained open, schools in the BGCDSB would have closed had the workers exercised their right to strike. News of a possible strike and subsequent school shutdowns had parents scrambling to arrange care for school-aged children. A statement from the BDSB said, “We are pleased to report that during provincial negotiations held over the weekend, a tentative agreement was reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). While the agreement has yet to be ratified, all job action by CUPE will cease effective immediately as CUPE members resume their regular day-to-day job duties. In Bluewater District School Board, CUPE members include custodial and maintenance staff. We value the vital functions that these employees perform each and every day to keep our schools safe and clean, and are pleased to hear that a fair agreement has been reached that respects this important work.”