YMCA announces changes if CUPE strike goes ahead on Monday

The YMCA in Niagara has announced some changes that could affect some parents in Niagara if a full strike by CUPE goes ahead on Monday. 

The following changes have been announced in relation to YMCA of Niagara Programs.

YMCA CHILD CARE
• YMCA BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE DURATION OF THE SCHOOL CLOSURES RELATED TO THE CUPE STRIKE. NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED TO FAMILIES DURING THIS CLOSURE.
• YMCA CHILD CARE PROGRAMS OFFERING FULL DAY CARE TO INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS WILL OPERATE AS USUAL AND REGULAR FEES WILL APPLY.
• FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH FAMILIES AT THEIR CENTRE TODAY.

EARLYON FAMILY AND CHILD CENTRES
• EARLYON CENTRES OPERATED BY THE YMCA OF NIAGARA IN ST. CATHARINES AND THOROLD ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS AND WILL OPERATE AS USUAL.

YMCA YOUTH ACTION
• SCHOOL PROGRAMS SCHEDULED TO START THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 7 IN THE EVENING AT 20 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT NIAGARA WILL NOT BE OFFERED.
• FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAMS WILL BE OFFERED AS SCHEDULED STARTING OCTOBER 4 AT THE WALKER FAMILY YMCA, NIAGARA CENTRE YMCA AND NIAGARA FALLS YMCA.

THE YMCA WILL NOT BE OFFERING ALTERNATE PROGRAMING ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 7. WE WILL CONTINUE TO REASSESS THE SITUATION.

The organization calls these decision "beyond their control" and that they are committed to providing updates through their website and social media platforms. 

For Monday morning, they're advising parents to watch the school board websites for updates regarding the strike and school closures.