Local teachers will walk off the job on Friday, leaving thousands of parents scrambling to find alternate arrangements or even take the day off work to care for their children.
The Upper Grand District School Board announced early on Dec. 11 that its elementary teachers will host a strike across the board on Dec. 14 as part of one-day rotating strikes across the province organized by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).
"We have been informed by the provincial office of ETFO that all our elementary teachers will walk out on [Dec. 14]," board spokesperson Maggie McFadzen said in an email to local media outlets.
"All of our elementary schools will be closed to students. This is for one day only and schools will reopen on [Dec. 17].
ETFO officials have stated they are not striking based on money, but in objection to Bill 115, which gives the government the power to impose wage freezes, stop strikes and impose new collective agreements on staff.
Despite the Liberal government's power to end strikes, Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister of Education Laurel Broten have stated they will not intervene as long as the walkouts do not exceed one day in length.
At least one local group is hoping to mitigate the effects the strike will have on local families.
Knox-Elora Presbyterian Church has informed the Advertiser it will host a "Christmas Fun Day" for kids on the day of the teachers' strike.
The event will be held at Knox-Elora Presbyterian Church on Dec. 14 from 9am to 4pm. Officials say children will be able to participate in crafts, stories, games, music and simply "have fun."
Those wanting to attend must be pre-registered, as space is limited. To register call 519-846-8061 or 519-846-0680 or email knoxelora@bellnet.ca.
