Durham high school teachers on strike Monday

High school teachers in Durham Region walked off the job on Monday morning — the start of a major labour dispute that could affect scores of students across Ontario.

Talks between the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) and the Durham District School Board (DDSB) have resumed at the provincial level, but local-level negotiations are still stalled, union president Paul Elliott said on Monday.

Talks had ended on Saturday when it was determined the two sides were at an impasse.

Elliott said a provincial mediator had created “significant movement” on the positions at the central table.

“Hopefully that will put some pressure on the local school board,” Elliott said.

He accused local boards of lacking the motivation “to enter into any sort of meaningful discussion.”

DDSB chairperson Michael Barrett told Breakfast Television they are still reaching out to the local union.

He said it’s “a good sign” both sides are heading back at the provincial table, but there are still local issues that need to be discussed. Though he did not want to get into specifics.

“Our teachers would much rather be inside classrooms with their students,” Dave Barrowclough, OSSTF District 13 president said in an earlier statement. “But this employer’s refusal to engage in real negotiations has really left us no option.

“They refuse to enshrine in the collective agreement even language that would clearly enable us to improve our teaching practices. Until they undertake a wholesale change of approach, progress isn’t possible, although we will remain ready to engage in meaningful bargaining at any time.”

The school board said that due to the strike, all public secondary schools will be closed. About 24,000 students are affected.

The OSSTF represents approximately 1,600 permanent and 300 occasional teachers in Durham.

In a statement, Education Minister Liz Sandals encouraged both sides to return to the bargaining table.

“The Durham District School Board is extremely disappointed that the teachers’ union chose the picket line over the negotiations table,” Michael Barrett, chairperson of the DDSB said in a statement.

“We share the disappointment of our students and their families that an agreement could not be reached, however, with the structure of provincial bargaining, there is nothing we can do as a board to resolve this situation.”

Due to the strike, all extracurricular activities, field trips and school events have been cancelled.

However, the board said community use of schools permits will continue at all DDSB schools and the Education Centre, and child care at Sinclair Secondary School will continue to operate. As well, parents of students with special needs who have community-based case co-ordination are encouraged to contact their co-ordinator or agency to inquire about supports similar to during March Break or summer holidays.

The two sides began negotiations in January.

Similar action may be seen in Sudbury next Monday if talks between the two parties fail. Halton, Peel, Waterloo, Ottawa-Carleton and Lakehead school boards will also be in a legal strike position by the end of the month.

With files from Christine Chubb and Kalie Stephan

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