Labour Action and Contingency Planning: Support for Principals and Other School Leaders

Principals hold unique responsibilities under the Education Act, including directing the management of the school, ensuring instructional leadership, evaluating staff and programs and maintaining order and discipline. Because of this statutory role, principals may have responsibilities that are expected from them that differ from those of other teachers during a strike.

However, it is important to understand that these responsibilities are not unlimited. They should be linked to the daily running of the school and should not be extended to undermine or interfere with lawful strike action.

​In practical terms, principals can reasonably be expected to handle contingency planning related to winding down a school before a strike, similar to what happens at the end of a school year. However, directions that go beyond this—especially those that try to support operations aimed at reducing the strike’s impact—may cross a line. For example, being asked to “facilitate” a daycare could be problematic. Coordinating a survey of space availability is not the same as hiring staff or directly managing a program.

Because each situation depends on specific details, there is no universal “prohibited actions” list. School leaders should contact Teacher Employment Services (TES) for advice tailored to each case. Broad or general requests for confirmation that “they can’t do that” will rarely provide clear answers; the context is too important.

If a principal or other school leader is directed to perform duties that can be substantiated to interfere with strike action, possible recourse could include complaints to the Labour Relations Board regarding interference with a trade union. However, such action must be weighed against the board’s lawful authority to manage schools.

Principals should call TES when concerns arise. Clear, detailed information about what is being asked will allow for meaningful advice and, where appropriate, legal follow-up.

WORTH SHARING
Principals have distinct responsibilities under the Education Act, including overseeing school management. This may involve some extra expectations during strike contingency planning— but they are not unlimited.

Tasks related to winding down a school, like at year-end, are generally acceptable. Directions that might interfere with strike action—such as running daycares or programs—may be inappropriate.

Because each case depends on the details, there’s no simple “they can’t do that” list. Principals and school leaders should contact TES with specifics for tailored advice.

Read the full Worth Knowing here.

Questions? Contact Teacher Employment Services at 1-800-232-7208.
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