Three Ontario teachers’ unions have released a joint statement against a proposal to move into binding arbitration with the province if an agreement cannot be reached in bargaining talks.

A proposal was announced on Friday by education minister Stephen Lecce who said the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation had agreed to its terms.

In the announcement, Lecce said the proposal would prevent teachers from striking should bargaining talks fail.

The French Teachers’ Union (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation (ETFO) and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) released a joint statement opposing the idea on Friday.

READ MORE: Ontario secondary teachers reach tentative deal with province to avert strike

The unions say the proposal cannot be considered as “binding arbitration would all but guarantee that the key issues we have brought forward at our respective bargaining tables, which are critical to learning and working conditions in our schools, would not be addressed.”

The statement says the Ford government has failed to engage in “substantive discussions” with all three unions involved.

They are calling on the government to engage in meaningful discussions about the critical issues facing schools at this time such as increased violence, the need for resources and support for student mental health, teachers’ use of professional judgment and addressing the teacher shortage.

The unions say they will continue working towards fair and negotiated agreements that “defend and protect publicly funded education, and support all students, educators, and families in this province.”

READ MORE: Union representing Ontario English Catholic teachers to hold strike vote