Local students will be out of school several days this week as job action between education workers and the province continues to ramp up.
The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is holding strikes that close all high schools and elementary schools with the Renfrew County District School Board today (Monday) and again Thursday (Feb. 6th). The Upper Canada District School Board which covers schools in Lanark County will be impacted by strikes on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The ETFO says they’re starting phase five of the work to rule campaign meaning there will be no extracurricular activities anymore in addition to all the other services that have been withdrawn.
All Catholic Schools in the province will close tomorrow (Feb. 4th) due to a one-day walkout by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation has planned a one day strike on Tuesday, however local schools are not targeted. French public and French Catholic schools are not affected by the strikes this week.
Teacher unions say they are fighting against increased class sizes, to get more support for special needs education, compensation that keeps up with inflation and to maintain the world-class education system that’s offered in Ontario. Education Minister Stephen Lecce issued a statement at the end of January saying pay and benefits are the main issues keeping the two sides from reaching a deal.
Just once @Sflecce mention, acknowledge, recognize, the thousands of dedicated #ETFO OTs, DECEs, ESPs, PSPs, & EAs and the fact that their average salary is at least $60,000 lower than the number you keep throwing around!! Just once!! @ETFOeducators #ETFO #ETFOStrike https://t.co/lyAsag1JED
— Sam Hammond (@SLAR2023) January 29, 2020
The province has offered parents up to $60 per day for childcare when elementary students are impacted by strikes. You can register online for the compensation here. Parents can also drop students off with a lunch, skates and a helmet at the Rec Centre in McNab/Braeside for $20 per person.
