Ontario high school teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike but need to give five days notice before taking job action. President of the Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, Harvey Bischof says the strong strike mandate sends a clear message to take job action, only if the two sides remain far apart at the end of this week’s bargaining on issues like class size, and re-hiring support staff.

Bischof says his union has no objections to a mediator, as requested by the education minister, if the process is transparent. Three of Ontario’s four major teachers’ unions are taking steps toward potential strikes as they negotiate with the government for new contracts.