Public high school teachers hold one-day strike as contract talks stall

More than a dozen school boards across the province will be closed Wednesday as the union representing public high school teachers holds another one-day strike.

All Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board high schools will be closed for the latest job action by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), which represents 60,000 teachers and education workers.

Public high school teachers in Hamilton beginning their one-day strike. Contract talks between the Ontario govt and the union representing the teachers and support staff are stalled. Tune into @morninglive for details about why it’s taking so long for both sides to reach a deal. pic.twitter.com/tf2dQ3MAMJ

— Sylvie Lendvay (@sylvie_lendvay) January 15, 2020

This is the fifth one-day walkout in a series of rotating strikes. The union continues to bargain with the province over issues including class sizes and mandatory online learning.

The OSSTF launched job action on Dec. 4 that closed schools across the province.

All four of Ontario’s major teachers’ unions have now announced job action over what they say is stalled contract talks with the province.

The province’s education minister is calling on the unions to enter into private mediation, in an attempt to reach agreements.

Here is a list of the school boards that will be taking part in a one-day, full withdrawal of services on Jan. 15.

• Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
• Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (OSSTF represents approximately 60 staff at our St. Charles Adult and Continuing Education Centres, including ESL/LINC and LBS instructors and assessors, and child minders.)
• Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
• District School Board Ontario North East
• Moose Factory Island District Area School Board
• James Bay Lowlands Secondary School Board• Rainbow District School Board
• Bluewater District School Board
• Upper Grand District School Board
• Wellington Catholic District School Board
• Durham District School Board
• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
• Upper Canada District School Board
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Grandes Rivières
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien
• Provincial Schools Authority