Ontario Catholic school teachers’ union to vote on provincewide strike in November

TORONTO — The union representing Ontario‘s Catholic school teachers has decided to vote on a provincewide strike next month.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association joins the unions representing both elementary and secondary teachers in making such a move.

OECTA president Liz Stuart says the strike vote is a necessary show of force against what she calls “reckless cuts” proposed by the province.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce issued a statement reassuring parents that strike votes are “part of the normal bargaining process.”

He says he encourages the union to work with the government to reach a deal.

The union notes that negotiations with the province can continue while the strike vote — which is set to end on Nov. 13 — is being conducted.

1:42 Education unions to hold strike votes