Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) was involved in central collective bargaining with the Ministry of Education and the Ontario Public School Boards' Association. The contract expired August 31, 2019.
UPDATE: Refer to the Collective Agreement
Media Releases
Contract Negotiations Update – April 20, 2020 12:45 p.m.
On Monday, April 20, the Ministry of Education and the trustees' association announced they have reached a tentative provincial agreement with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF).
We are pleased a tentative provincial collective agreement has been reached and appreciate the patience and support of families throughout this process.
Contract negotiations continue to be an ongoing focus for the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) moving forward. Local collective bargaining between the LKDSB and OSSTF is ongoing.
Up-to-date information regarding contract negations for all union groups is available on the LKDSB's website (www.lkdsb.net).
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: 
April20_Parent_Guardian_Letter.pdf
Contract Negotiations Update – March 6, 2020 3:45 p.m.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that effective Monday, March 9, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will escalate the legal strike action, involving a partial withdrawal of services, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
The LKDSB is working with OSSTF to determine exactly how the strike actions will impact its schools. Based on the information to date, OSSTF members will continue to provide student instruction and supervision assignments during scheduled work time.
Note: There are currently no scheduled strike actions (full withdrawal of services) affecting LKDSB secondary schools.
Please be assured that the LKDSB's top priority is maintaining caring, safe and positive learning environments for students.
Updates regarding the OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Contract Negotiations Update – February 21, 2020 3 p.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is aware that at other school board locations across the province, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will participate in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Friday, February 28, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Important note: The LKDSB is not directly impacted by the one-day, full strike action. As such, all LKDSB secondary schools and programs will be open on Friday, February 28, 2020.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – February 21, 2020 6 a.m.The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) have confirmed their members will join colleagues across the province in a one-day legal strike action (full withdrawal of services) on Friday, February 21, 2020.
As such, all Lambton Kent District School Board elementary and secondary schools and programs are CLOSED to students on Friday, February 21, 2020. Elementary and secondary schools and programs will reopen to students on Monday, February 24, 2020.
Please visit the LKDSB website regularly for updated information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Updates regarding OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage.
Contract Negotiations Update – February 20, 2020 9:15 a.m.As a reminder, if provincial settlements are not reached, members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join colleagues across the province in a one-day legal strike (full withdrawal of services) on Friday, February 21, 2020.
A full strike would mean elementary and secondary teachers would not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our schools. As such, elementary and secondary schools and programs will be closed to students on Friday, February 21, 2020. Elementary and secondary schools and programs will reopen to students on Monday, February 24.
Due to anticipated school closures, families are strongly encouraged to explore alternate childcare arrangements. The LKDSB is hopeful provincial agreements can be reached, and the full strike actions will be avoided.
The LKDSB will update parents/guardians and all stakeholders through the LKDSB website as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information.
Updates regarding OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage.
Contract Negotiations Update – February 13, 2020 1 p.m.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join colleagues across the province in a one-day legal strike (full withdrawal of services) on Friday, February 21, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Student safety is the top priority for the LKDSB. In our schools and across our system, ETFO and OSSTF represent all elementary and secondary school teachers. A full strike would mean elementary and secondary teachers would not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our schools.
If a settlement is not reached and the one-day, legal strike actions proceed, elementary and secondary schools and programs will be closed to students on Friday, February 21, 2020. Elementary and secondary schools and programs will reopen to students on Monday, February 24.
Please continue to check the LKDSB website up to and including the morning of February 21 for updates regarding whether elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students on Friday, February 21, 2020.
Due to anticipated school closures, families are strongly encouraged to explore alternate childcare arrangements. The LKDSB is hopeful provincial agreements can be reached, and the full strike actions will be avoided.
Please note: All LKSSAA student athletic activities scheduled for Friday, February 21 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Secondary schools will communicate information to students and parents/guardians about the rescheduled dates.
The LKDSB will update parents/guardians and all stakeholders through the LKDSB website as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information for all union groups.
Updates regarding OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage.
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: Feb13_Parent_Guardian_Letter.pdf
Contract Negotiations Update – February 11, 2020 9 a.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is aware that at other school board locations across the province, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will participate in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Thursday, February 13, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Important note: The LKDSB is not directly impacted by the one-day, full strike action. As such, all LKDSB secondary schools and programs will be open on Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – February 4, 2020 6 a.m.The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) have confirmed its members will join colleagues throughout the province in a one-day legal strike action (full withdrawal of services) on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
As such, all Lambton Kent District School Board secondary schools and programs are CLOSED to secondary students on Tuesday, February 4. Secondary schools and programs will reopen to students on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Please visit the LKDSB website for updated information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – February 3, 2020 11 a.m.As a reminder, if a provincial settlement is not reached, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), who are in a legal strike position, will engage in one-day strike (full withdrawal of services) on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
A full strike would mean secondary teachers would not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our secondary schools. As such, secondary schools and programs under the supervision of an OSSTF member at a Board or affiliated location will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 4, if the one-day legal strike proceeds. Secondary schools and programs will reopen to students on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached, and the full strike action will be avoided.
All LKSSAA student athletic activities scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Schools will communicate information to students and parents/guardians about the rescheduled dates.
Please note: All elementary schools and programs will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 4, if the one-day legal strike by members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), proceeds.
The LKDSB will update parents/guardians and all stakeholders through the LKDSB website as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information for all union groups.
Contract Negotiations Update – January 30, 2020 4:30 p.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join colleagues throughout the province in a one-day legal strike (full withdrawal of services) on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Student safety is the top priority for the LKDSB. In our schools and across our system, OSSTF represents all secondary school teachers. A full strike would mean secondary teachers would not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our secondary schools.
If a settlement is not reached and the one-day, full strike proceeds, secondary schools and programs under the supervision of an OSSTF member at a Board or affiliated location will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 4, and will reopen to students on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Please continue to check the LKDSB website up to and including Tuesday morning for updates regarding whether secondary schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached, and the full strike action will be avoided.
Please note: All LKSSAA student athletic activities scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Schools will communicate information to students and parents/guardians about the rescheduled dates.
The LKDSB will update parents/guardians and all stakeholders through the LKDSB website as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information for all union groups.
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: Jan30_Parent_Guardian_Letter.pdf
Contract Negotiations Update – January 16, 2020 8:50 a.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is aware that at other school board locations across the province, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will participate in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Important note: The LKDSB is not directly impacted by the one-day, full strike action. As such, all LKDSB secondary schools and programs will be open on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – January 13, 2020 7:00 a.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is aware that at other school board locations across the province, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will participate in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Important note: The LKDSB is not directly impacted by the one-day, full strike action. As such, all LKDSB secondary schools and programs will be open on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Message to Parents/Guardians re: EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics – January 9, 2020On January 8, the Minister of Education published an announcement regarding the January administration of the EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics. LKDSB Grade 9 students in applied and academic math courses in semester 1 will not participate in the EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics this January.
As you may be aware, a student's achievement on the EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics has been included as part of their final summative grade, which forms part of their overall mark in the course. Since students will not be completing the assessment, it will not be included in the overall mark calculations. Students' final grades will not be impacted by the absence of this assessment.
In the announcement issued on January 8, the Minister of Education stated that students who do not take the EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics in January will need to take the test in June. The board will await further direction from the Ministry. If this requirement becomes necessary, Board staff would then work through the logistics of administering a make-up test, as this would pose significant challenges to both school staff and Grade 9 students who are not studying math in semester 2.
Contract Negotiations Update – January 6, 2020 1:15 p.m.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is aware that at other school board locations across the province, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will participate in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Important note: The LKDSB is not directly impacted by the one-day, full strike action. As such, all LKDSB secondary schools and programs will be open on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – December 18, 2019 3:10 p.m.Reminder: All secondary schools and programs are open to students on Thursday, December 19, 2019.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – December 18, 2019 6 a.m.The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) has confirmed its members will join their colleagues across the province in a legal strike, involving a one-day, full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
As such, all Lambton Kent District School Board secondary schools or any programs currently under the supervision of an OSSTF member at a Board or affiliated location are CLOSED to secondary students on Wednesday, December 18 and will reopen to secondary students on Thursday, December 19.
All elementary schools will be OPEN to elementary students on Wednesday, December 18, including Grade 7-8 programs and alternative elementary school programs located within LKDSB secondary schools or other Board facilities. Elementary student transportation will run as scheduled on December 18.
Please visit the LKDSB website for updated information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – December 13, 2019 3:20 p.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join their colleagues across the province in a legal strike, involving a one-day, full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Student safety is the top priority for the LKDSB. In our schools and across our system, OSSTF represents all secondary school teachers. If the one-day, full strike proceeds, OSSTF staff will not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our secondary schools.
If a settlement is not reached and the one-day, full strike proceeds, secondary schools will be closed to students on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, and will reopen to students on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Please continue to check the LKDSB website up to and including Wednesday morning for updates regarding whether secondary schools will be closed to students on Wednesday, December 18.
Please note: All elementary schools, including Grade 7-8 and alternative elementary school programs located within LKDSB secondary schools or other Board facilities, will be open to students on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Elementary student transportation will run as scheduled on Wednesday, December 18.
The LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached, and the full strike action will be avoided.
In anticipation of the potential full strike action, all LKSSAA student athletic activities scheduled for Wednesday, December 18 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Schools will communicate information to students and parents/guardians about the rescheduled dates.
The LKDSB will update staff, students and parents/guardians as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information.
Updates regarding OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage.
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: Dec16_Parent_Guardian_Letter.pdf
Contract Negotiations Update – December 6, 2019 3:10 p.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is aware that at other school board locations across the province, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will participate in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Important note: The LKDSB is not directly impacted by the one-day, full strike action.As such, all LKDSB secondary schools and programs will be open on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – December 4, 2019 3 p.m.Reminder: All secondary schools and programs are open to students on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – December 4, 2019 12:30 a.m.The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) has confirmed its members will join their colleagues across the province in a legal strike, involving a one-day, full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.
As such, all Lambton Kent District School Board secondary schools or any programs currently under the supervision of an OSSTF member at a Board or affiliated location are CLOSED to secondary students on Wednesday, December 4 and will reopen to secondary students on Thursday, December 5.
All elementary schools will be OPEN to elementary students on Wednesday, December 4, including Grade 7-8 programs and alternative elementary school programs located within LKDSB secondary schools or other Board facilities. Elementary student transportation will run as scheduled on December 4.
Please visit the LKDSB website for updated information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Contract Negotiations Update – December 3, 2019 9 p.m.Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) are ongoing and the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached, and the full, one-day strike action on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 will be avoided.
At time of posting, a settlement has not yet been reached, but negotiations are ongoing. If a settlement is not reached prior to Wednesday, December 4 and the one-day, full legal strike proceeds, LKDSB secondary schools or any programs currently under the supervision of an OSSTF member at a Board or affiliated location will be closed to secondary students on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, and will reopen to students on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
Please continue to check the LKDSB website up to and including Wednesday morning for updates regarding whether secondary schools will be closed to students on Wednesday, December 4.
Note: All elementary schools, including Grade 7-8 and alternative elementary school programs located within LKDSB secondary schools or other Board facilities, will be open to elementary students on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Elementary student transportation will run as scheduled on Wednesday, December 4.
Student safety is the top priority for the LKDSB. In our schools and across our system, OSSTF represents all secondary school teachers. If the one-day, full strike proceeds, OSSTF staff will not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our secondary schools, or any programs currently under the supervision of an OSSTF member at a Board or affiliated location. Elementary school teachers are not impacted by the potential OSSTF one day, full strike action.
In anticipation of the potential full strike action, all LKSSAA student athletic activities scheduled for Wednesday, December 4 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Schools will communicate information to students and parents/guardians about the rescheduled dates.
The LKDSB will continue to update staff, students and parents/guardians as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information.
Contract Negotiations Update – November 29, 2019 2:10 p.m.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join their colleagues across the province in a legal strike, involving a one-day, full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
Student safety is the top priority for the LKDSB. In our schools and across our system, OSSTF represents all secondary school teachers. If the one-day, full strike proceeds, OSSTF staff will not report to work and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our secondary schools.
If a settlement is not reached and the one-day, full strike proceeds, secondary schools will be closed to students on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, and will reopen to students on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Please continue to check the LKDSB website up to and including Wednesday morning for updates regarding whether secondary schools will be closed to students on Wednesday, December 4.
The LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached, and the full strike action will be avoided.
In anticipation of the potential full strike action, all LKSSAA student athletic activities scheduled for Wednesday, December 4 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Schools will communicate information to students and parents/guardians about the rescheduled dates.
Please note: All elementary schools will be open to students on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.
The LKDSB will update staff, students and parents/guardians as soon as new information becomes available. Please visit the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information.
Updates regarding OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage.
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: Nov29_Parent_Guardian_Letter.pdf
Contract Negotiations Update – November 28, 2019 6:15 p.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join their colleagues across the province in a legal strike, involving a one-day full withdrawal of services, on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
The LKDSB is working with OSSTF to determine exactly how the strike action will impact its schools. Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached and the full strike action will be avoided.
Please continue to check the LKDSB website for updates (www.lkdsb.net).
Contract Negotiations Update – November 22, 2019 11:30 a.m.The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) will join their colleagues across the province in a legal strike, involving a partial withdrawal of services, effective Tuesday, November 26, 2019, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date. Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and OSSTF are ongoing and the LKDSB remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached.
The LKDSB understands this can create some uncertainty within schools. The LKDSB is working with OSSTF to determine exactly how the strike will impact its schools. Based on the information to date, secondary schools will be open to students on Tuesday, November 26 with no interruption to classes or extra-curricular activities.
Please be assured that the LKDSB's top priority is maintaining safe and positive learning environments for students.
Updates regarding OSSTF contract negotiations will be posted on this webpage.
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: Nov22_Parent_Guardian_Letter.pdf
