Ontario education workers officially went on strike Friday, leaving many schools across Ontario closed for the day without the support of custodians, admin staff, and educational assistants.
Thousands of those 55,000 education workers gathered in protest around the grounds of Queen's Park as they continued their push for a wage increase despite new legislation from the Ford government that makes their protest illegal and imposes a four-year contract on them.
Workers who choose to strike could face fines up to $4,000 per day.
It's a story that has gained national and international attention over the last few days.
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
The grounds of Queen's Park were filled with striking education workers and those in support of their message.
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
Striking workers are demanding a much bigger raise than the Ford government seems willing to offer.
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
Many kids were forced to stay home from school Friday and that could carry on into next week, with the strike being called "indefinite."
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
Some protestors openly displayed their frustration with the Ford government over this issue.
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has labeled any strike action "illegal."
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
Children of age to be in class Friday were among the protestors.
Ashna Bharkhada | Narcity
"Ford's just being totally unreasonable," one striking education worker told Narcity at the demonstration.
"Obviously these guys are way out of touch of what we do in the schools (...) Plus, he's always said that he's for the little guys. Mr. Ford, we're the little guys and you're not looking out for us," the man said.
It is unclear how long the strike by Ontario's education workers might last.
