THUNDER BAY — Ontario’s English Catholic teachers have voted overwhelmingly for a strike mandate, joining some of their public system counterparts in weighing possible work action.
Members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) gave 97 per cent support for a strike mandate in votes conducted Wednesday and Thursday, the union announced.
OECTA represents 45,000 English Catholic teachers in elementary and secondary grades.
The news comes just a day after the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), representing 80,000 public elementary teachers, early childhood educators, and support workers, announced its members had approved a strike mandate with a similarly strong 95 per cent vote.
Whether that will lead to a strike or work-to-rule action remains to be seen, with the two sides continuing to negotiate with the assistance of a provincially-appointed conciliator.
OECTA has accused the government of failing to meaningfully engage in contract negotiations after more than a year of talks, calling education funding levels one sticking point.
“Our overwhelming strike mandate sends a clear message to the Ford Conservative government and the representatives of Catholic school boards that Catholic teachers want to see meaningful progress and results at the bargaining table that address the lack of resources, supports, and time teachers need to best serve their students,” said OECTA president René Jansen in de Wal in a statement.
The union said it continues to engage in bargaining with the government.
In a statement released Thursday, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce expressed disappointment that OECTA and the ETFO had not followed in the footsteps of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), which agreed to binding arbitration in September.
“It is disappointing that OECTA members have voted to put themselves on a path to strike,” he said. “We’ve already reached a fair deal with one of the largest teacher unions to keep kids in class, and we urge that OECTA does the same by coming to the table, signing a deal, and committing to keeping kids in class.”
It’s a point OECTA pushed back on in the statement from in de Wal.
“Contrary to… Lecce’s ongoing misinformation campaign, taking a strike vote and receiving a strong strike mandate does not necessarily mean that Catholic teachers will take job action,” he said. “In fact, such a strong strike mandate may make job action less likely – but only if the Minister and Catholic school board representatives heed the message being sent.
“It will enable the Association to proceed forward in negotiations with the full confidence of Catholic teachers.”
