Teachers and education workers say they'll be back on the job on Thursday.
THUNDER BAY -- With no deal in sight as the midnight deadline passed, the head of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation says teachers and education workers will walk off the job for one day on Wednesday.
Harvey Bischof, union president, made the announcement early Wednesday morning via Twitter.
“Sadly, the (Stephen Lecce) bargaining team chose not to meet with us in the days leading up to our strike deadline. Our one-day job action will occur. #OSSTF education workers & teachers will be back in schools Thursday, we remain ready to negotiate," Bischof announced.
All Lakehead Public Schools and Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board schools will be closed on Wednesday.
Lecce, the provincial education minister, earlier issued a statement
"My message to parents, on the eve of potential job action, is that our government has remained reasonable at the negotiating table, with the objective of keeping students in class," said Lecce, hours before the deadline arrived.
"I am reaffirming my commitment to examining innovative solutions to avoid a strike. I am open to a framework that achieves our goal of reaching a deal that keeps students in the classroom."
Shortly after midnight the public board issued a statement, noting that in addition to schools being closed, all field trips, including those to the Kingfisher Outdoor Education Centre, have been cancelled.
Additionally, all co-op placements, community-use permits, school transportation, before- and after-school programming and sports and extra-curricular activity has been cancelled for the day.
The Catholic Board also issued a statement, confirming all elementary, senior elementary and secondary schools, as well as alternative education programs will be closed on Wednesday.
"School closures are necessary, as we cannot provide a safe and equitable learning environment," the unsigned statement said.
"The board respects the union’s right to strike, and remains hopeful a negotiated settlement will occur between the provincial bargaining parties."
