Deadline looms in teacher talks

[projekktor id=’21706′]

It’s come down to the wire for public elementary teachers and school support staff.

If the unions representing them don’t reach contract agreements by the end of the day on Sunday, school boards could dock members’ pay.

Over a week ago, Premier Kathleen Wynne set November 1st as the deadline for the teachers to end their work to rule campaign or be penalized.

According to the unions involved, there is a province-wide media blackout in effect Sunday as requested by the Ontario labour relations board mediator.

A spokesperson for CUPE – the union representing education workers including custodians, early childhood educators and office staff, says “At the request of the mediator, the parties have agreed to suspend public communications regarding the substance and process of negotiations, while bargaining continues.”

On october 23rd, Premier Wynne gave education unions still without contracts until Sunday to reach a deal with school boards and halt work to rule action which now includes teachers not participating in extra-curricular activities.