News

Toronto secondary teacher bargaining team doesn't support deal to avoid strikes

The OSSTF Toronto teachers' bargaining unit executive sent its members a memo saying they were not directing teachers on how to vote, but were expressing their concerns about entering into binding arbitration and removing the right to strike.

Published Sep 8, 2023 at 7:08pm

The Canadian Press
By
The Canadian Press
Toronto secondary teacher bargaining team doesn't support deal to avoid strikes
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce speaks to journalists at the Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

The largest local bargaining unit of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has told members it opposes a tentative agreement between the provincial union and the government that would avoid the possibility of strikes.

The OSSTF reached a deal last month with the province that would see the parties keep bargaining for a new contract until Oct. 27 and then send any remaining issues to be settled by arbitration, which would eliminate the chance of a strike by high school teachers.

But the proposal must first be ratified by members, and there were signs of potential trouble as voting on the deal began Friday.

Read this for free.

Log in below to get access to this article. One free per week.