Teachers and education workers at public secondary schools in Chatham-Kent, London and Middlesex County are headed to the picket lines once again.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) announced on Friday that certain school boards, which include the Thames Valley District School Board and the Lambton Kent District School Board, will take part in another one-day, full withdrawal of services on December 18. The union is obligated to provide five days of notice in advance of any work action.
Information pickets will also be held in front of schools, MPPs' offices, and other locations across the province.
The Thames Valley and Lambton Kent boards said they will be closing all secondary schools due to the strike.
"There is insufficient supervision to ensure student safety. This includes all secondary schools and Adult and Continuing Education," the Thames Valley board said in a statement. "All out-of-school activities [e.g. field trips, sports, etc.] are cancelled. Parents/guardians should make alternate arrangements for their children if required."
The OSSTF previously held a one-day province-wide strike for all Ontario school boards on December 4, and a one-day walkout in select areas on December 11. Teachers and education workers at public secondary schools have also been participating in a work-to-rule limited withdrawal of services since November 26.
“Since our last bargaining date on Tuesday, December 3, we have seen no change in the Minister of Education’s agenda of increasing class sizes, forcing e-learning on our high school students, and continuing the funding cuts that take valuable support staff and services out of our schools,” said OSSTF/FEESO President Harvey Bischof in a statement.
The OSSTF has said class sizes, staffing, mandatory e-learning, and other issues that affect the quality of student learning have been sticking points throughout contract negotiations with the province.
"We are hopeful that the Minister is ready to get serious about bargaining next week, to come to the table in good faith and reverse his government’s devastating cuts to our students’ education system. That’s what this fight is about, what it has always been about; this government’s cuts to education will affect our students for not just one day, but for generations to come," said Bischof. “We hope that the Ford government is ready to negotiate a fair deal. A deal that is good for students, good for education workers, good for teachers, and good for our province. But if not, we’re ready to fight for their future, and we will use every tool available to us to do so."
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce previously referred to the union’s move to strike as “needless escalation that is hurting children, parents, and families.” He also accused the union of not making a substantive move during bargaining, aside from insisting on a $1.5 billion increase in pay and benefits.
The OSSTF represents over 60,000 members across Ontario.
The full list of school boards affected by the walkout can be found by clicking here.