Durham high school teachers on strike Monday: OSSTF
Posted Apr 19, 2015 06:52:54 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
High school teachers in Durham Region will be on strike as of Monday, according to the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.
Talks between the OSSTF and the Durham District School Board (DDSB) ended on Saturday when it was determined the two sides were at an impasse.
“Our teachers would much rather be inside classrooms with their students”, Dave Barrowclough, OSSTF District 13 president said in a 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.
“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 childcare at Sinclair Secondary School will continue to operate. As well, parents of students with special needs who have community-based case coordination are encouraged to contact their coordinator or agency to inquire about supports similar to March break or summer holidays.
The two sides began negotiations in January.
The OSSTF represents approximately 1600 permanent and 300 occasional teachers in Durham.
