Negotiations between Ontario’s public elementary school teachers and the government are set to continue this month, after the teachers’ union announced yesterday that its membership voted 95 per cent in favour of a strike.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario has said that a strike mandate wouldn’t necessarily mean teachers will walk off the job, but will add pressure on the government to reach a contract deal at the bargaining table.
The union representing public high school teachers has agreed to a bargaining process with the government that will see the parties keep negotiating until October 27th then send any outstanding issues to be resolved by arbitration, eliminating chances of a strike.
E-T-F-O and other major teachers’ unions have rejected that pathway, which Education Minister Stephen Lecce has called — quote — “extremely disappointing,” while the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association is holding strike votes today and tomorrow.
Canadian Press