Striking ETFO members at Tecumseh Public School in Chatham, January 30, 2020. Photo credit: Robyn Brady.Teachers across the province are stepping up their job action as talks between some unions and the government continue.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation has announced its members will take part in a full one-day strike next Tuesday, the same day public elementary and English Catholic teachers in Lambton-Kent walk off the job.
ETFO members across Lambton-Kent took part in their first strike day on Thursday.
Lambton-Kent ETFO representative Jodi Mandeno was among hundreds who walked the picket line in front of Tecumseh Public School in Chatham, and says it’s all to protect the rights and education of students.
“We want to protect full day kindergarten where we have a DECE and a teacher in every classroom,” Mandeno says. “We want more funds to help protect our students with regards to violence in the classroom, we also want lower class sizes for all of our students, not just primary, and we’re also looking to maintain funds so that we have supports in our classrooms for those students with autism and special needs.”
Meantime, talks are set to resume on Monday between the province and Ontario’s English Catholic Elementary Teachers.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says he’s losing patience with the OSSTF, and continuing job action is hurting students.