(Updated 9:30 a.m., Jan. 10)
Province seeks to prevent one day elementary teacher walkout
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

The provincial government plans to seek an Ontario Labour Relations Board injunction to prevent a one-day work stoppage by public board elementary teachers tomorrow.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is calling on its members to hold a one day "political prostest" to express their opposition to the provincial government imposing a contract on their members.

According to the ETFO, the one day protest is different from a strike and is allowable under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The provincial government disagrees. During a press conference on Wednesday, Premier Dalton McGuinty said the protest is illegal under Bill 115

The province is expected to petition the board for a cease and desist order against any work stoppage this morning with the hope of getting a ruling by the end of the day. Should the Board rule in the province's favour, the union leadership would risks heavy fines should the protest go ahead.

If the Board rules in the union's favour, the protest would proceed legally leaving thousands of parents scrambling to make arrangements to look after their kids.

The province says it will take a similar stance against the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation which plans to hold a one day protest of its own next Wednesday which will effect public board high schools.

(This story was made possible thanks to their generous support of our local business partners.)

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