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Labour Situation Update - Secondary Schools

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Many of you will be aware that the education sector in Ontario is currently experiencing challenges in its workforce. While local negotiations continue with many of our unionized employee groups, including teachers, there is unrest within those groups largely directed at legislation passed by the Ontario government which has impacted the working conditions of all education sector employees. At a number of school boards already, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) have entered into a legal strike position and are involved in various sanctions.

In the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB), our OSSTF permanent and occasional teachers are in a legal strike position beginning Monday, November 19. This means that the teachers may pursue a number of sanctions within our schools which could include not participating in staff meetings, professional development or parent interviews and not supervising students outside of instructional time, among other actions.

As a board we have great concerns about the impact of these sanctions on our secondary schools. As always, the safety of our students is of utmost concern to us. Contingency plans are being put into place to address these concerns. As Director of Education, I will be monitoring this situation very closely along with my senior team and taking any action that is deemed necessary in order to continue to provide a safe learning environment for all.

We will provide updates as required through the following communications avenues:

SCDSB Website: www.scdsb.on.ca
SCDSB Facebook:  www.facebook.com/SCDSB
SCDSB Twitter:  @SCDSB_Schools
SCDSB Recorded Announcement:  1-877-728-1187

Information about related Ontario legislation is available at: www.edu.gov.on.ca.

Information about provincial OSSTF job action is available at: www.osstf.on.ca.

I thank you for your patience during this labour situation in Ontario’s education sector.

Yours truly,

Kathryn Wallace Director of Education

 Simcoe County District School Board - www.scdsb.on.ca - 1170 Hwy 26 - Midhurst, ON - L0L 1X0 - 705-728-7570