Guelph public elementary schools close as rolling teacher strikes continue

All Upper Grand District School Board elementary schools are closed Tuesday for a one-day teacher strike.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has been holding one-day rotating strikes. Waterloo region saw schools close Monday, with schools in Guelph and Wellington County to be closed Tuesday.

Teachers and educational workers picketed at several locations, including in front of Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner's office. Schreiner is also leader of the Green Party of Ontario. There were also pickets in Orangeville at MPP Sylvia Jones' office and in Fergus at MPP Ted Arnott's office.

Elementary schools are scheduled to re-open on Wednesday.

Buses to elementary schools in the Upper Grand District School Board were cancelled for Tuesday, but third-party child care centres remained open. Some before and after school programs remained open, while others closed.

Teachers 'care deeply'

Gundi Barbour, president of the ETFO Upper Grand local, said educators in the board are "professionals who care deeply about the students they teach."

"However, they cannot do their jobs effectively with increased class sizes, violence in the classroom and a lack of supports," Barbour said.

School board officials warned that elementary schools would also be closed to students on Feb. 4 and Feb. 6 as well unless the ETFO and province reach a deal on a new contract.

Talks to resume

The two sides have not met since Dec. 19.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced mediator Denise Small had reached out to both the ETFO and the negotiating parties for the Ontario government and school boards to resume negotiations.

ETFO has agreed to return to the table on Wednesday for exploratory talks.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said the government looks forward to talks continuing.

"Our aim has always been to reach a negotiated settlement that keeps kids in class," he said.