THUNDER BAY – Following two days of discussions involving a seasoned mediator, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) reports that the Federation is disappointed to say that negotiations with the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association have once again arrived at an impasse.
OSSTF/FEESO President Paul Elliott stated, “In spite of our best efforts to find a path to an agreement, the Government and OPSBA continue to attack our existing contracts, and insist on contract strips that would have a negative impact in Ontario classrooms for teachers and students alike. We want nothing more than to reach a negotiated settlement, but we simply can’t agree to terms that undermine our members’ working conditions, and can only lead to inferior learning conditions for our students.”
Schools in Thunder Bay under the Lakehead Board of Education have teachers in a legal strike position, however there would be a five days notice that must be given before teachers could hit the picket lines.
A strike by teachers right now could put the entire school year at risk, impacting grade twelve graduates.
OSSTF/FEESO will now apply for conciliation under the Ontario Labour Relations Act for central table bargaining.
