Toronto

Elementary teachers in strike position November 25 after receiving 'no board' report

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says it received the report Friday morning, kicking off a 17-day countdown before teachers can legally walk off the job.

The union says it will continue to focus on contract talks

COVID-19 case surges have periodically interrupted the school year, with provincial governments across the country shutting down school buildings and forcing children to attend at home online classes.
Elementary school teachers in Ontario could go on strike as early as November 25. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

Ontario's public elementary school teachers will be in a legal strike position on Nov. 25, after the union representing them received a so-called "no board report" from the Ministry of Labour.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says it received the report Friday morning, kicking off a 17-day countdown before teachers can legally walk off the job.

ETFO President Sam Hammond says the union will continue to focus on contract talks and attempt to reach a deal with the province.

Last week, the union announced its members voted 98 per cent in favour of a strike, calling the result an overwhelming mandate for job action if necessary.

The union represents 83,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education workers.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.