Schools in Renfrew County will be impacted by another one-day strike today (Tuesday, January 21st). All English catholic and public schools in Renfrew County will be closed as a result of escalating job action by the two unions. Local French schools will not be impacted. Members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) are asking for smaller class sizes so students get the help they need, more resources for special needs students, protection of the current Kindergarten program and fair compensation for educators. President of the ETFO Renfrew County Teachers’ Local, Allison Ryan, says they are asking parents to stand with them in the fight to protect public education. She adds the programs they’re fighting for will have an impact on the education of students now and in the future. Education Minister Stephen Lecce says parents are frustrated by teacher union escalation every few years. He adds it’s unacceptable that job action is ramping up at a time when high school students are preparing for exams. Lecce says he will continue to focus on reaching voluntary agreements with the teachers’ unions. At this point, government negotiators have not responded to union requests or set a date for future talks.
In Renfrew and surrounding area today, you will find picket lines at Queen Elizabeth School, at the intersection of Baskin Drive and Daniel street in Arnprior, as well as Zurakowski Park in Barry’s Bay and in Cobden, educators are picketing from the school to the main street.
