More talks scheduled as OECTA strike action proceeds

TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Two days of talks between The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) and representatives of the government and Catholic trustees have failed to reach a resolution. Further talks are scheduled for August 20, 21, 24 and 25.

OECTA will be in legal strike position on August 17 and its members will begin Work to Rule action on their first paid day of work, which begins next week for teachers in some northern regions.

"We remain confident that an agreement can be reached before the majority of our members go back to school," said OECTA President Ann Hawkins. "But we continue to take a stand against unfair conditions that would have a negative impact on teachers and classrooms."

This week, OECTA launched a website called TeachersMatter.ca where Ontario parents can find a clear overview of the bargaining issues, including the collection of student data, fair workloads, fair wages and fair hiring.

More than 6,000 people voiced their support for teachers during the first three days of the campaign, asking for a fair deal for teachers.

OECTA members have been without a contract for more than one year, and if an agreement is not reached they will not participate in activities that fall outside of their contractual duties when they return to school this fall.

"We understand that work to rule is hard on students – it's hard on teachers too," Hawkins said. "But it's important that parents know there are bigger things at stake in these negotiations, and we can't accept a deal at any cost to the quality of public education."

Parents are encouraged to visit TeachersMatter.ca and raise their hands in support of a fair deal for teachers. Because teachers matter. And how they're treated matters too. Visit teachersmatter.ca to learn more about the issues.

About OECTA
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association represents more than 50,000 talented, passionate qualified teachers in Ontario's publicly funded English Catholic schools, in classrooms from JK to grade 12. OECTA cares deeply about the quality of education in our province, and we advocate for the professional and contractual welfare of our members to make sure they can focus on what they do best: teach. 

SOURCE Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association

Janine Druery, Communications Specialist, [email protected], 416-925-2493 ext. 472