York Region public high school teachers won't be joining another one-day strike next week, as the dispute with their union and the province continues into the new year.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) said teachers at certain school boards will take part in the full withdrawal of services in select locations on Wednesday, Jan. 8, similar to the one-day provincewide strike held Dec. 4.
York Region public high school teachers were selected by the OSSTF to strike in the last round of one-day strikes on Dec. 18, 2019, which closed local public board high schools for the second time.
Teachers and education workers represented by the OSSTF in other boards will hold "information pickets" in front of schools, at MPPs’ offices, and in other locations throughout the province, according to an OSSTF news release today.
A limited withdrawal of services, which began on Nov. 26, will continue provincewide.
"As we enter the new year, we hope the Ford government and the minister of education will finally be ready to do the right thing and negotiate an agreement that is good for students, good for teachers and education workers, and good for Ontario's future economy,” said Harvey Bischof, president of OSSTF, in a news release.
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce responded to the OSSTF announcement by releasing a statement that said the province will continue to "vigorously champion the interests of students".
"Parents have been clear: strikes by unions hurt kids and investments should go to support student success, not toward enhanced compensation," Lecce said. "We agree with Ontario parents."
Teachers have been without a contract since last August, and no new talks with their union and province are currently scheduled.
"After more than eight months of negotiations, the minister of education remains committed to Doug Ford's plan to increase class sizes, impose compulsory online learning and continue the erosion of essential supports and services which the most vulnerable students need to have an equal chance of succeeding,” Bischof said.
While he acknowledged the "pressure tactics" are causing disturbances in some school boards for one day, he said the Ford government policies would "wreak havoc on the education system for years to come".
"Ontario students deserve better and that is exactly what we are fighting for,” added Bischof.
However, Lecce said parents are "frustrated and tired" of the union's continued strike action, which is unfair to students.
