LATEST STORIES:

Niagara elementary teacher lockout continues as negotiations breakdown

Share this story...

The lockout of hundreds of elementary school teachers in Niagara continues after talks broke down between the Niagara Catholic District School Board and the teacher’s union.

The provincially appointed mediator declared an impasse in negotiations at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

In a statement on their website, the school board said, “Schools will be open to receive students, and every effort will be made to ensure students are in a safe environment, but programming will be significantly affected.”

Principals and available staff will continue to be at the schools to supervise and organize programs for students.

The board says buses will be running on scheduled routes but may be delayed entering school property. “A reminder that individuals entering school property may encounter picket delays for the purpose of peacefully communicating their message. Should you encounter an unsafe or intimidating delay, we encourage you to respond calmly and notify the school Principal.”

Video of a 5-minute long confrontation between a driver and picketers circulated online on Monday. Erica Reid shot the video as she attempting to leave the parking lot of a YMCA daycare in Niagara Falls.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association said in post on their Facebook page, the people in the video are not teachers with the NCDSB. “We are aware of an incident at a picket line in Niagara yesterday. Please note that the individuals in the video are not Catholic teachers. However, we also know that there were events preceding the video that put some teachers on the picket line at risk.”

The school board says the lockout will continue until further notice.