Ontario’s four main teachers’ unions are holding a province-wide strike Friday leaving two million students out of class for the day.

It’s part of an ongoing effort to put pressure on the provincial government during contentious contract negotiations.

It also marks the first time since 1997 that teachers and education workers from elementary, high school, French language, and Catholic schools will walk out on the same day.

A massive protest was outside Queen’s Park in Toronto. Thousands of teachers gathered and surrounded the legislature.

Teachers, workers, and supporters were also see picketing across Hamilton, Halton, and Niagara throughout the day.

The unions have been without a contract since August.

The government has said it wants to modernize education and ensure students are digitally literate by adding mandatory online courses.

Union leaders, some parents, and school boards object mandatory e-learning over concerns it provides an inferior experience and hurts students who don’t have computers or high-speed internet.

Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, says he hopes it sends a message to the government.

Lecce says the government remains focused on getting deals that ensure students are learning each and every day.