Ontario elementary school teachers could soon join high school teachers on the picket lines if contract negotiations fail next month.
Talks between teachers and the government are in progress, but teachers would be in a legal strike position as early as May 10.
Last week, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) received a "no-board" report, issued by the Ministry of Education when negotiating parties' differences are too great for conciliation.
The notice informs the union and employer that the conciliation officer does not consider it advisable to appoint a conciliation board.
Following a "no-board" report, the ministry assigns a third-party mediator to work with the employer and the union to reach a collective agreement.
"This may include any labour action or withdrawal of service, up to and including a strike," Peel District School Board Chair Janet McDougald said in a statement on Wednesday.
McDougald advised parents that the board is committed to keeping parents informed, and will advise them immediately when a decision has been made.
The union is required to give five days' notice before striking.
In the event of a strike, all Peel elementary schools would be closed to parents, the statement warned.
Parents with questions are advised to follow the board's social media accounts on Twitter or Facebook, or monitor the Peel board's website (www.peelschools.org/labour).
Parents of older children in the Peel region are also dealing with a possible strike. Public high school teachers will hit the picket lines if negotiations between the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and the board fail by May 4.
High school teachers in Durham and Sudbury are already on strike as a result of failed bargaining attempts.
