Strikes illegal – Rainbow secondary schools re-open Wednesday, May 27th

The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has declared the OSSTF strikes in the Rainbow, Durham and Peel district school boards illegal.

Rainbow secondary schools will re-open on Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

Transportation will also resume immediately for Rainbow secondary school students in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin.

Rainbow District School Board Chair Doreen Dewar applauded the OLRB ruling.

According to Chair Dewar, the decision to file an application to the OLRB was not taken lightly.

“We maintained, from the outset, that our students and their families were caught in a dispute between OSSTF and the Province.”

She added: “We are pleased with the OLRB ruling. The ruling will help to define what is central and what is local in this complex bargaining process.”

Chair Dewar thanked the OLRB for hearing the application and rendering a decision. 

“We appreciate their consideration of our request. The lengthy deliberations and outcome certainly validate our concerns."

“This decision of the OLRB provides the opportunity for our students to return to school tomorrow,” she said.

“We look forward to welcoming our students and teachers back to class.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.