What with Family Day on Monday, snow day today and province-wide strike on Friday, students will have a pretty easy week ahead.
On the bright side, the Province said this morning that it will resume bargaining with the OECTA - Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, tomorrow.
"I am pleased the mediator has called all parties back to the negotiating table, as we have always said, we stand ready to negotiate to reach a deal that keeps students in class," said Stephen Lecce, Education Minister. "Students belong in class. My objective has always been to reach deals with our education labour partners - deals that are fair to students, hard-working parents, and our valued teachers and education workers.
"The government has demonstrated our commitment to reaching a deal by affirming our commitment to maintaining all-day kindergarten, investing in special education needs, and keeping classroom sizes low."
The union, on its website, confirmed the resumption, but added a warning.
"Bargaining will resume tomorrow, February 19. If no agreement can be reached, catholic teachers will engage in rotating strikes the week of February 24."
In a news release, OECTA President Liz Stuart, says “Teachers and education workers across the province are united, and the public are firmly behind us. “Everyone is saying we do not support the Ford government’s destructive agenda for publicly funded education, and everyone knows the solution is for the government to back away from their reckless cuts and come up with a real plan to reach a fair agreement. But the government still is not listening. All we can do is continue to demonstrate our determination and solidarity.”
Locally on Tuesday, February 25, the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board will be the target of rotating strike action.
