TVDSB High Schools Will Be Closed Tomorrow

Tuesday, 17 December 2019 12:33

High Schools in the Thames Valley District School Board will be closed tomorrow as Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation members stage another one day strike.

OXFORD COUNTY - High Schools in the Thames Valley District School Board will be closed tomorrow as Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation members stage another one day strike.

President of District 11 John Bernans says the biggest issue right now, remains class sizes.

"The three big issues that were talked about yesterday at the table were class sizes, the Governments proposal to increase them, E-learning, the Governments proposal that students take two E-Learning courses to graduate and then the cutbacks in professional supports for students at risk."

Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce issued a statement last week that the teachers biggest issue has more to do with wages and salaries.

"Union leadership has made clear they will strike again unless we accept their demand for a $1.5 billion increase in compensation, which includes pay and benefits. We value teachers and their commitment to our students. However, OSSTF teachers on average make over $92,000 per year and are the second highest paid in the nation."

Bernans says he found that statement insulting.

"I find that insulting, yesterday in bargaining, not one word was mentioned about compensation, it all fell apart because they couldn't get past the cuts to class sizes, e-learning and support staff. The Minister continues to talk about cuts, he says that he is focused on students, clearly the cuts are bad for students, so I am not sure how he justifies that."

No talks are scheduled for today, meaning the strike is likely going to happen on Wednesday. In Woodstock teachers will be picketing in front of MPP Ernie Hardeman's office and WCI.

Elementary schools will be open, accept for the French ones and the London District Catholic School Board is not impacted by this strike.

TVDSB is one of ten school boards where OSSTF teachers are striking tomorrow. The complete of school boards taking part in the December 18th strike are listed below.

- York Region District School Board
- York Catholic District School Board
- Halton District School Board
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board
- Lakehead District School Board
- Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
- Lambton Kent District School Board
- Thames Valley District School Board
- Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

The one day strike will also impact French language elementary schools where some of the workers are represented by the OSSTF.