BARRIE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 4, 2012) - The Teacher Bargaining Unit of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) in District 17, Simcoe, has determined it does not have a tentative agreement to present to members for ratification. During the pre-approval process, language was added to the tentative agreement that was not signed by the bargaining team. This event occurred as a direct result of Bill 115, and restrictions imposed through a process lacking transparency that interfered with local bargaining as per the Ontario Labour Relations Act.

Ian Tudor, District 17, Simcoe Teacher Bargaining Unit President stated, "At this time, we do not believe it is in the best interest of the membership to continue with the bargaining and ratification process. On Monday, December 10, our members will return to job sanctions as outlined by provincial OSSTF/FEESO."

Job sanctions will remain the same as District 17, Simcoe members completed earlier this year, and will now also include the withdrawal from voluntary and extra-curricular activities, as outlined by provincial OSSTF/FEESO.

"We understand this may upset some parents and students. We hope this can be used as a learning opportunity so that students can realize that the fight for democracy and democratic rights should be supported and not taken lightly. We are fighting for their future rights, and the rights of all working Ontarians. We will continue to fight for the repeal of Bill 115," continued Ian Tudor, District 17, Simcoe Teacher Bargaining Unit President.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.