THUNDER BAY – Promising negotiations with the province have convinced the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association to cancel rotating strikes scheduled for Tuesday.
The job action, part of an ongoing labour dispute with the provincial government, would have seen teachers at Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board schools walk off the job.
Instead they'll take a wait-and-see approach.
Teachers and education workers across Ontario's four biggest teachers' unions, including OECTA, took to the picket lines on Friday in a show of solidarity.
"Today’s historic strike was an incredible display of the passion and dedication of teachers and education workers across Ontario,” said OECTA president Liz Stuart in a release issued on Friday night by the union.
“At the same time, we have always said that our goal is to negotiate a deal at the bargaining table, and it is clear that our efforts are being effective in forcing the government to work with our association toward a fair agreement. The mediator has called the parties back to the table on Monday, Feb. 24, and we have been assured that the discussions will continue to be meaningful. As a result, OECTA will be suspending the rotating strikes planned for next week.”
The union said while it remains hopeful a deal can be reached, it reserved the right to return to future job action should negotiations stall.
