The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board is expressing some concern over the possibility of a teachers' strike in September.
Board chair Barb Holland says the Ontario English Catholic Teachers are requesting a "no board" report, which puts teachers closer to a strike. "Quite frankly, sometimes having a deadline to work towards is very helpful in solving an issue," Holland says. "I will remain hopeful, the board remains hopeful. I think all the trustees in Ontario remain hopeful that this will perhaps start new discussions."
Holland says everyone has the best interests of students in mind. "We were the only ones talking right up until (Wednesday) so that was a very, very good sign and we like to think that's going to continue at some point in the summer," she says.
The Canadian Press is reporting teachers will be in a legal strike position on August 17 and strike action would begin on the first day of school.
Holland won't say what some of the local issues are between both sides. "We don't believe in negotiating anywhere other than at the table, so we're going to keep it at that and just sort of let parents know that this is a normal part of the bargaining procedure."
