The Progressive Conservative MPP for Huron-Bruce is calling for teachers' unions to end an ongoing labour dispute with the province.
Four unions are currently in a spat with the province for a new contract, prompting rotating strikes by members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), and Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association's (OECTA).
Lisa Thompson says the goal of the province is to “reach a negotiated settlement that keeps kids in class.”
Thompson tells Country 104.9 News she is encouraging unionized teachers to stay at the negotiating table, in order to end work action.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce agreed to meet with ETFO for the resumption of talks on Wednesday, following the announcement of twice-weekly walkouts by the union.
Thompson says the province's hopes of resolving the dispute are sincere, and she is hoping for the same from teachers.
Strike action by teachers next week will effect Catholic schools province-wide on Tuesday, February 4th, and all Ontario public elementary schools Thursday, February 6th.