Ottawa

Ontario English Catholic teachers closer to strike after latest talks fail

Ontario's English Catholic teachers are asking for a "no board" report that could place them in a legal strike position only weeks before the school year gets underway.

Could be in legal strike position by mid-August

English Catholic school students could face an uncertain start to their school year with teachers requesting a "no board" report that would put them in a legal strike position by mid-August. (File photo/CBC)

Ontario's English Catholic teachers are requesting a "no board" report that would move the teachers closer to a strike.

They would be in a legal strike position 17 days after the report is issued, which they say would likely be by mid-August.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, which represents 50,000 teachers, says it is taking the action after talks involving a conciliator failed to lead to an agreement with the provincial government and trustees.

Its members voted 94 per cent for a strike mandate in April.

Several major teachers' unions have listed class sizes, control over teacher preparation time and hiring practices as sticking points in negotiations.

They have raised the possibility of September strikes.