What Ontario parents need to know about a potential strike?
Kids are returning to school this fall amid some uncertainty as teachers continue to negotiate for new contracts.
None of the four unions representing teachers and some education workers in Ontario have reached a consensus with the provincial government on a new collective agreement, with three of the four committing to strike votes in the fall.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Here’s what parents need to know about a potential strike:
WHO IS NEGOTIATING?
The following unions are in talks with the provincial government: the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSTF), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO).
All but the OSSTF have rejected the province’s offer of binding interest arbitration, which would ultimately put the final bargaining decision on a neutral third party. This process could, if agreed upon, help avoid a strike in public high schools.
WILL THERE BE A STRIKE SOON?
The short answer is no. Work action won’t likely happen for a few months, if at all.
All three remaining unions have said they will go forward with a strike vote in the fall if negotiations continue to fall flat. The votes are scheduled for mid-September to mid-November.
Members must vote in favour of a strike before any action is planned.
ETFO has said it is moving forward with next steps and requesting conciliation, a formal mediation process in which a third-party is brought in to work with both sides and help find a resolution.
It’s a common process prior to union members engaging in any strikes or work action.
If no agreement is made during conciliation, a “no-board” notice will be issued. At this point, a 16-day countdown to a legal strike or work action will begin.
WILL KIDS BE SENT HOME?
There are a number of job actions teachers can take other than a full-out strike. For example, teachers can remove themselves from extra-curricular activities, pledging to do the minimum in the classroom.
Last year, when the province forcibly legislated a contract with education support workers and passed a bill making strikes illegal, unions took part in one province-wide single-day walkout, as well as rotating one-day strikes, in defiance. During this time, kids were unable to be in the classrooms.
There was no general, multi-day strike.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
Teachers have been without a contract for over a year. According to a document obtained by CTV News Toronto, the province has offered teachers an increase of 1.25 per cent per year, for four years. However, teachers have been asking for a one per cent increase per year, in addition with an annual cost of living adjustment tied to inflation.
Statistics Canada said that Canada's inflation rate rose to 3.3 per cent in July.
Teachers have also mentioned that issues such as violence in schools and hiring practices are being discussed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Kim Kardashian brand kids' sleepwear and more: Here are some recalls to watch out for
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Federal government to announce funding to help Toronto host six 2026 World Cup games
The federal government is set to announce funding to help Toronto host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.