Ontario’s English Catholic teachers have planned a strike vote for November, as contract negotiations remain stalled at the initial stages.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) communicated to its members today that this vote will signal to the government the need for real progress in bargaining.
“Teachers know just how important stability is for students and families. We also know the impact that years of underfunding, staffing shortages, and fewer supports are having on Ontario students, witnessing it firsthand in the classroom every day. Standing up for better learning conditions and quality publicly funded education is part of standing up for our students,” the message read.
The union’s announcement states they will hold strike vote information sessions before the votes on Nov. 12 and 13, so members have all the details needed to “deliver a strong strike mandate.”
President Rene Jansen in de Wal emphasizes that this does not necessarily mean a strike will occur.
“We want to be at the bargaining table, working toward an agreement that is good for teachers, students, and our publicly funded schools. Unfortunately, the government has made it increasingly difficult to move that work forward,” the message continued.
Negotiations with major education unions are largely stuck as the Ontario Labour Relations Board reviews which topics should be negotiated centrally between unions and the province versus those handled by local unions with school boards.
The unions claim Education Minister Calandra is pushing local issues into central negotiations, including specific working conditions.
“Minister Calandra has continued to delay negotiations, despite assuring everyone an early start was not necessary and that bargaining would be wrapped up by Labour Day. This strike vote is about making sure the government understands Catholic teachers have a strong, united voice on fundamental concerns for our students and education,” OECTA said.
“A strike vote sends a message to the government: that we need to see meaningful progress at the bargaining table – it does not mean a strike will happen.”
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