TORONTO — Ontario’s biggest teachers’ union is warning of major disruption in elementary schools across the province next month as it battles the Liberals’ controversial anti-strike law.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario says parents will get 72 hours notice of strikes planned next month, and it says the action will affect operations in every public elementary school in the province.
   
A union spokeswoman confirms that could include teachers not being in class but would not provide further details. Elementary teachers and other education workers in four school boards have already started work-to-rule strike action.
    
The ETFO says members in boards across the province will all be in a legal strike position by the Christmas break.
    
Education Minister Laurel Broten says she’s disappointed with the new ETFO warning, but will continue to encourage teachers to reach local agreements with school boards before December 31. After that, the province will be able to impose its own agreement on teachers.

Meantime, Elementary school teachers in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board have voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike and will be taking strike action on Monday.  

The union will be in a legal strike position on Friday, but will hold off on the action until Monday.

As of Monday, teachers will no longer be a part of extra-curricular activities or Christmas concerts. Starting on December 10, teachers will stop participating in field trips.

The labour tension in the public school system stems from the controversial passing of Bill 115 in September. The Liberal legislation gives the government the power to stop strikes and lockouts, forces a two-year wage freeze for teachers and cuts sick days.