GUELPH – All public and Catholic schools in Wellington County – both elementary and secondary – are set to close on Dec. 4 as a result of OSSTF job action.
The union announced last week that OSSTF (Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation) members would participate in a “one-day, province-wide full withdrawal of services” if a new agreement with the province was not reached.
“It’s clear from these past two days of bargaining … that our action is having no impact on the tone or substance of negotiations,” OSSTF president Harvey Bischof stated on Nov. 28, referencing OSSTF job action that started on Nov. 26.
All schools in the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) and Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) will be closed to students for one day as a result of the walk-out on Dec. 4.
“This withdrawal of services causes significant impact to all UGDSB schools, including our capacity for effective supervision and ability to ensure student safety,” officials wrote in statement on the board website.
In the UGDSB, OSSTF represents secondary teachers and occasional teachers as well as education workers in elementary and secondary schools and board offices, including office clerical technical staff, educational assistants (EAs), early childhood educators (ECEs), and professional student supports personnel.
At the Catholic board, OSSTF represents EAs, ECEs, office/clerical staff, information technology staff and professional student services personnel.
“School safety in an inclusive environment remains of paramount importance to us,” director of education Tamara Nugent wrote in a letter to parents/guardians.
“OSSTF represents 267 of our 870 school-based staff. As such, we would not be able to safely operate our schools.”
The school board is recommending that families make alternative plans as soon as possible for Dec. 4.
Minister of education Stephen Lecce said the government is looking for deals that keep students in school.
“Strikes hurt kids,” he stated in a press release. “For teacher unions to leave the table, to turn their back on our children, and to escalate to the point of compromising their education, is deeply troubling for parents and our government.”
Bischof said OSSTF officials recognize the one-day strike will disrupt “the lives of students and parents,” but he stressed the union can not “stand aside and do nothing while the long-term interests of students are being compromised by the Ford government.”
ETFO
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is currently undertaking “Phase 1” work-to-rule strike action at UGDSB elementary schools.
Some of the services ETFO members have withdrawn from include:
– attending meetings;
– participation in professional learning or training;
– completion and filing of report cards; and
– responding to emails.
OECTA
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association announced on Nov. 29 it was applying for a “no-board” report, which puts the union in legal strike position 17 days after it’s issued.
