Ontario's public high school teachers have agreed not to strike this year, or for the next three years, as they ratified a deal with the government to settle any unresolved contract bargaining issues through an arbitrator.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation reached a tentative deal with the government last month to continue negotiating until Oct. 27, then go to arbitration, giving up their right to strike. Union members voted on the proposal and it has now passed, with 78.4 per cent in favour.
President Karen Littlewood said the union had unsuccessfully tried to engage the Progressive Conservative government in good faith bargaining for 14 months, and she believes this pathway will get teachers the best deal.