COTTAGE COUNTRY, ON – Parents of public high school students need to make alternative plans next week as teachers hold a one day strike.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) announced that its members will walk off the job Wednesday. The news came just two days after teachers across the province began their Work to Rule campaign.
Ontario’s Minister of Education Stephen Lecce responded to the announcement, saying strikes hurt kids and the province wants to make deals that keep students in classrooms.
“For teacher unions to leave the table, to turn their back on our children, and to escalate to the point of compromising their education, is deeply troubling for parents and our Government,” Lecce said.
The OSSTF justified the strike, saying members couldn’t wait any longer because the province refuses to listen to parents, is unwilling to listen to students and education is currently eroding.
Teachers began withdrawing from certain services earlier this week. They decided to stop leaving personalized comments on report cards, participating in provincial standardized testing preparation and most organized activities outside of work hours.
The union added the strike can be avoided if a tentative agreement is reached before Wednesday.
Both sides continue to talk but pay seems to be the crux of the negotiations.