A province-wide strike vote will be held next month by Catholic school teachers.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association states they have reached a critical juncture in the bargaining process, noting they have met 17 times with representatives of the government.
President Liz Stuart says the government hasn’t listened to their representatives at the bargaining table.
Stuart says their priority is “to reach an agreement that recognizes Catholic teachers’ vital contributions to Ontario’s society and economy, protects against the government’s cuts, and ensures quality learning and working conditions in our schools.
She adds “Catholic teachers strongly oppose the Ford Conservative government’s regressive education agenda. The Minister has publicly said the government is prepared to make investments in the classroom, but at the bargaining table they appear determined to pursue their reckless cuts.”
Stuart notes negotiations can continue while the strike vote is being conducted, which is set to end on November 13th.
In a statement, Education Minister Stephen Lecce reassured parents that “strike votes are part of the normal bargaining process.”
He says he encourages the union to work with the government to reach a deal.
