Catholic, French schools closed in Waterloo region as teachers, education workers strike

Catholic and French-language schools in Waterloo region are closed Thursday as teachers and education workers hold one-day strikes.

All elementary and secondary Catholic schools are closed. As well, some programs offered through the board's St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres are cancelled, including hairstyling, culinary arts, secondary school credit day school, correspondence services and guidance services. All other St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres programs are running as normal.

"As before, we remain hopeful the two sides will return to the bargaining table quickly and will come to a fair and respectful agreement that serves the best interests of our students," the board said on its website.

The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens represents 12,000 members at French-language schools across the province.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation is also holding strikes on Thursday, but not at schools in Waterloo region.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has said if it doesn't reach a deal with the province by Friday, the union will begin phase seven of work-to-rule. Details on what exactly that means will be released March 7.