PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 26, 2012) - Members of the Occasional Teachers (OT) Bargaining Unit of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) District 14, Kawartha Pine Ridge, have voted in favour of a strike mandate at meetings held recently.

The members of the Occasional Teachers Bargaining Unit are employed with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB).

The Occasional Teachers members voted 88% in favour of a strike mandate.

This strike vote is a normal part of the legal process recognized by the Ontario Labour Relations Act. The Occasional Teachers Bargaining Unit's current contract expired on August 31.

Leslie Wolfe, Executive Officer with the OSSTF/FEESO stated that, "Throughout the province strong strike vote results should be sending a clear message to the government that OSSTF/FEESO members are willing to fight for their democratic rights."

Norm Tompsett, OSSTF/FEESO District 14 OT President said "The members' strength of resolve to fight the government strips to our democratic right to free collective bargaining is made clear through the 88% vote in favour of a strike action."

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.