Ontario’s public high schools are open today now that a one-day teachers’ strike has come to an end. But the union representing about 60-thousand teachers and support workers say there could be more in the future if contract talks with the provincial government don’t become more productive. The teachers who are already conducting a work-to-rule campaign have announced that they would give 5 days of notice before any further labour action.
Members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation walked off the job yesterday, triggering school closures across the province including those in St. Thomas and Elgin County.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce responded to the one-day strike calling it unacceptable and urged the union to take part in private mediation. The teachers and the union are protesting changes made by the province, including mandatory e-learning courses and increased class sizes, which has led to a loss of courses for students and layoffs for teachers.
Lecce has also said the union must bring new proposals to the bargaining table, not just reject the government’s offer.
