SUDBURY – The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) is prepared to engage in a one-day full withdrawal of services on Wednesday, Dec. 4 if a new agreement is not reached by then.
The one-day strike follows six days of information pickets and a limited withdrawal of administrative services that began on Nov. 26.
OSSTF says the announcement of the walkout comes on the heels of frustrating days at the bargaining table.
"This week we began a job action carefully devised to have no impact on students," said OSSTF/FEESO President Harvey Bischof. "It's clear from these past two days of bargaining, however, that our action is having no impact on the tone or substance of negotiations."
"We do recognize that our one-day walkout will cause short-term disruption in the lives of students and parents, and we are disappointed that we've been driven to take this job action. We cannot, however, stand aside and do nothing while the long-term interests of students are being compromised by the Ford government," said Bischof.
In District School Board Ontario North East (DSB1), OSSTF represents secondary teachers, attendance counsellors, child and youth workers, early childhood educators, educational assistants, Indigenous student advisors, and social workers.
DSB1 says this withdrawal of services causes a significant impact on their schools, including the capacity for effective supervision at the elementary panel. As a result, DSB1 elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students on Wednesday.
CTV News has received a closure notification from Conseil Scolaire Catholique de District des Grandes-Rivieres as well.
As other school boards may be affected, it is recommended that parents confirm whether or not their children's school will be closed on Dec. 4 if a new agreement is not reached.
