Formal talks have been scheduled between two Ontario teachers' unions and the provincial government, following months of stalled negotiations.
Labour talks resumed Wednesday between the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) and the province for the first time in three months. The talks are expected to continue Thursday. Members of the OECTA, which represents Catholic elementary and high school teachers, are in a legal striking position starting Aug. 17.
"Premier Kathleen Wynne recently expressed her desire to find a solution, and new bargaining dates have now been confirmed," the OECTA said in a statement Tuesday.
The union also launched a website, teachersmatter.ca, in an effort to "inform parents" about the issues that could affect classrooms in event of a strike. The site also breaks down the details the negotiations.
"We hope that teachersmatter.ca will help parents understand that there's more at stake here than a labour disruption," the statement said.
"We all want to reach a deal, but not at any cost to public education."
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will meet next Tuesday and Wednesday, ahead of its annual leadership meeting.
Public high school teachers began strike action on July 20, abstaining from extra-curricular activities as a result. The move has affected students at schools that began this month, and will extend into the fall if no agreement can be reached.
Education Minister Liz Sandals warned that if no agreements are reached by September, any job action planned would be considered a limited strike, as opposed to a work-to-rule campaign.
“The things that they're proposing to do in the event that there are no agreements would be a partial withdrawal of services, so it is a form of strike," Sandals said. "The teachers can't simply decide that as a work to rule they won't do EQAO testing, as an example. That's a strike action."
The minister also expressed optimism over a resumption of talks.
"I have a sense of a good feeling coming back from the table."
The Ontario government is also having “informal” discussions with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation about a possible resumption of negotiations.
Earlier, Sandals said the government is "focused on our students," and remains committed to the bargaining process.
"We want our students and teachers to start the school year without disruptions and with full programming, and that is why we remain committed to bargaining throughout the remaining weeks of summer to reach an agreement," she said in a statement.
"We have been actively engaged in discussions with all partners to return to the table and resume talks as soon as possible."
Classes are scheduled to start on Sept. 8.
With files from The Canadian Press
