The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) is suspending rotating strikes planned for next week and is heading back to the bargaining table with the Ontario government.
The union issued a statement late Friday saying the mediator has called the parties back to the table on Monday, Feb. 24, and OECTA has "been assured that the discussions will be meaningful."
"At the same time, we have always said that our goal is to negotiate a deal at the bargaining table, and it is clear that our efforts are being effective in forcing the government to work with our Association toward a fair agreement, " OCETA president Liz Stuart said a statement.
"Catholic teachers have demonstrated that we will do what is necessary to stand up against this government’s cuts to publicly funded education. Should negotiations cease being productive, further strike action will be announced.”
York District Catholic School Board teachers had been slated to participate in the rotating one-day strike on Friday, Feb. 28.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) announced teachers and education workers and teachers represented by in certain school boards will take part in another one-day, full withdrawal of services in select locations across Ontario on Friday, Feb. 28.
The York Region District School Board is not included in the Feb. 28 strike.
OSSTF/FEESO president Harvey Bischof said the union will postpone pending job actions if the government agrees to return to, and maintain, the class size ratios and staffing levels that were in place in Ontario schools during the 2018–2019 school year.
"We want a deal that keeps students in class. Strikes by the teachers' unions have resulted in millions of student days lost. Days where students should have been in class preparing for math tests, practising for hockey games or music competitions, and learning the skills needed to succeed in their educational journey and beyond," Stephen Lecce, minister of Education, said in a statement Friday in response to OSSTF's continued strike action.
"With over 80 cents to the dollar spent on compensation and over 60 per cent increase in spending since 2003, taxpayers and parents rightfully expect more and better for our students. We agree," he said. "We have always been ready to meet at the negotiating table to reach a deal that keeps students in class."
