Catholic Teachers Will Walk the Picket Lines Next Tuesday

Tuesday, 28 January 2020 13:02

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association is having another province wide walkout on Tuesday, February 4th.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association is having another province wide walkout on Tuesday, February 4th.

This will likely mean that all publicly funded English speaking Catholic Schools, both Elementary and Secondary will be closed to students. The news comes, one day after the ETFO announced they will be walking the picket lines province wide next Thursday, as well as increasing the one day rotating strikes.

OECTA President Liz Stuart says they understand Ontarians are growing impatient with these negotiations.

"Frankly, we share their frustration.But we cannot allow this government to wear us all down and force us to accept their devastating cuts. The long-term consequences for our schools and our students are simply unacceptable. Strike action is tough for everyone, but it is a sacrifice we need to make to show the government we will not be deterred in our efforts to protect what we have worked so hard to build.”

Stuart says it is the government’s turn to step up and get negotiations moving.

“We want to keep the details of our discussions at the bargaining table, but the government cannot claim our Association has
not been flexible. As far back as October, we have been making creative and forward thinking proposals that should have satisfied all parties. But the government’s negotiators have refused to move, insisting they have no authority from their political leaders to reach an agreement that does not include deep cuts that take valuable resources out of the classroom.”

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, issued the following statement yesterday in regards to the further escalation by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario:

"Teacher union leaders once again are breaking their promise to parents as they proceed with a full one-day withdrawal of services, province-wide. The consequences of union-led escalation are real, as families are forced to find child care on short notice.

Repeated escalation at the expense of our students, to advance higher compensation, higher wages, and even more generous benefits, is unacceptable for parents and students in our province. We firmly believe students should be in class, which is why we continue to stand ready to negotiate to reach a deal Ontario students deserve."