Ontario teachers' unions and school boards have passed the December 31st deadline for bargaining new agreements, however the education minister say that she will not immediately impose new agreements. The minister said that she had offered to negotiate with the unions in December, but only one took her up on the offer. One union said that they had not understood what she meant, and thought that she was offering support. The minister is urging the schools to cut pay increases and end bankable sick days. The unions are boycotting extracurriculars, and have approved a one-day protest. The unions will meet again on January 9 to discuss their options.
See "Teacher protests: deadline for union deals passes", Richard J. Brennan and Laura Kane, Toronto Star, January 1, 2013