Elementary school teachers set to strike in December

Elementary school teachers are set to walk off the job in the second week of December, according to a union officlal.

The teachers in York region are already in a legal position to strike and although a specific day has not been chosen, union local president David Clegg says they will hold a one-day strike sometime during the second week of December.

"On the day that we walk out, there will be absolutely no teachers in the schools, potentially the teachers will close the schools," Clegg said.

The strike action is in response to the Liberal government’s Bill 115, a controversial law that teachers say restricts their ability to bargain and strike.

The one-day walkouts will continue until an agreement if reached between teachers and the province, Clegg said. He added other locals will be holding similar walkouts.

"The schedule’s yet to be finalized but it will be happening everywhere," he said.

The timing will also allow teachers with the Toronto District School Board, and in Peel and Durham to join in, as by that time they will also be in a legal strike position.

Parents will be given 72 hours notice before any job action.

However, Education Minister Laurel Broten said that if teachers do walk off the job, she has the power to send them back to work.

"If we need to respond, we have the tools and we will respond," Broten said.