There are three strikes occuring this week affecting schools in Bradford.
Today was The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) second one day province-wide strike with teachers from all Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board elementary and secondary schools in Bradford picketing outside Holy Trinity Catholic High School.
Teachers took turns walking the permiter of the school on Melbourne Drive and Miller Park Avenue with large signs and flags, as cars drove by honking their horns.
Strike Captain Edwin Butterworth said there has been tremendous support from the community.
"It's been really positive so far, a lot of support from the public it seems, spirits are pretty high and we are all united," he said.
He says even the students have been supportive, and have already seen how the government cuts have affected them in the classroom.
"A lot of them understand what we're doing, they understand that the government has already made cuts to their education that directly impacts them," he said, noting the larger class sizes and lack of support for special education.
“We know Ontarians are growing impatient with these negotiations. Frankly, we share their frustration,” said OECTA President Liz Stuart in a statement last week.
“But we cannot allow this government to wear us all down and force us to accept their devastating cuts. The long-term consequences for our schools and our students are simply unacceptable. Strike action is tough for everyone, but it is a sacrifice we need to make to show the government we will not be deterred in our efforts to protect what we have worked so hard to build.”
OECTA began administrative job action on Jan. 13 and a withdrawl of services on Jan. 21.
The association was at the bargaining table yesterday, with no agreement reached. No new bargaining dates have been set.
"Our Government has continuously demonstrated our focus and desire to keeping kids in class through reaching an agreement with teachers' unions. Bargaining with OECTA occurred throughout today, and we are now waiting for the mediator to establish new dates," read a statement from Minister of Education Stepehn Lecce.
"We remain available to meet at the negotiating table at any time, to engage in good-faith bargaining, and reach a deal that provides stability for our students and keeps them in class."
OECTA has approximately 45,000 members and teach more than half a million students in 1,135 Catholic elementary schools and 219 Catholic secondary schools throughout Ontario.
