Ontario English Catholic teachers schedule November strike vote as contract talks stall
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association set a strike vote for November 12–13, signaling frustration as central bargaining remains at early stages.
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Ontario's English Catholic teachers have scheduled a strike vote for November 12 and 13, marking an escalation as contract talks remain stuck at initial stages.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association says the vote will send a message to government that meaningful progress is needed at the bargaining table. Information meetings will be held before the vote to ensure members have the information to "deliver a strong strike mandate." President René Jansen in de Wal emphasized: "it does not mean a strike will happen."
Teacher contracts expired on August 31, 2026 with no deal in place. Talks with major education unions have largely stalled, with the Ontario Labour Relations Board now examining which topics should be bargained centrally between unions and the province, and which should be handled between local unions and school boards.
Unions have accused Education Minister Paul Calandra of pushing local issues into the central sphere, including certain working conditions. The dispute over bargaining scope is blocking progress on the substantive contract terms teachers seek.
What specific working conditions are unions insisting be negotiated locally rather than centrally?
What wage and benefit improvements are teachers seeking?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When is the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association holding its strike vote?
The strike vote is scheduled for November 12 and 13, 2026.
When did Ontario English Catholic teachers' contracts expire?
Teacher contracts expired on August 31, 2026.
What is blocking progress in the contract talks?
A dispute over bargaining scope is blocking progress. The Ontario Labour Relations Board is examining which topics should be bargained centrally between unions and the province versus locally between unions and school boards.
