The union representing Ontario's English Catholic teachers has filed for conciliation at the provincial bargaining table, paving the way for a possible strike this fall.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) says they've so far been unable to secure a "fair and equitable deal" for its members.
"We are frustrated by the lack of progress, and with the intransigence of the government and the trustees on a range of extremely important issues," OECTA president James Ryan said in the statement.
"They want to unilaterally wipe out parts of our collective agreement. We must protect our members and our students' learning conditions."
The OECTA represents approximately 50,000 English Catholic teachers across the province.
Earlier this year, OECTA members voted 94 per cent in favour of a strike mandate. The union said despite the strike vote, however, they have remained been "committed" to reaching a negotiated settlement.
OECTA members have been without a new contract for approximately a year. Ryan said they are hopeful that filing for conciliation will "provide an impetus for meaningful negotiations to continue."
He added the union hopes to avoid disruptions to classes in September.
