WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Ontario English Catholic Teacher’s Association (OECTA) is the latest union representing education workers to begin job action.
In a Jan. 8 press release, OECTA announced its members would begin administrative job action on Jan. 13 unless a tentative agreement is reached.
Bargaining dates were scheduled for Jan. 9 and 10.
“We have not taken this decision lightly, but we believe it is necessary to secure a fair contract and protect publicly funded education in Ontario,” said OECTA president Liz Stuart.
OECTA members voted 97.1% in favour of taking strike action in November.
Under the Jan. 13 administrative job action, OECTA members will:
– provide limited report card information;
– not enter diagnostic testing data;
– not complete any Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO)-related activities;
– not attend or participate in Ministry of Education initiatives.
“Further strike action, including a possible full withdrawal of services, could become necessary if the government refuses to change their positions,” OECTA officials stated in the press release.
Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) director of education Tamara Nugent published an update to parents on Jan. 8.
“At this time, our schools remain open,” Nugent wrote. “We are in the process of assessing the implications of the job action and preparing a more detailed response for our school communities in order to address emergent questions.
“The [WCDSB] will continue to monitor this job action closely and will provide parents and guardians with updates and information via the board website – wellingtoncdsb.ca, school websites and social media.”
In Wellington County, OECTA represents teachers at elementary and secondary schools.
