The Ontario education workers' strike entered its second week, leaving thousands of Ontario students out of classrooms.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 55,000 support staff such as custodians, administrative staff, and educational support workers, said last week they would strike "until further notice," hinting that the strike would continue.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce passed legislation on Thursday to impose a four-year contract on education workers, preventing them from striking.

Live updates from the strike:

11:16 AM
CUPE's press conference was scheduled to start at 11 AM. No word on the reason for the delay.

10:51 AM
CUPE is scheduled to make a statement following Ford's move to drop the anti-strike legislation.

10:16 AM
CUPE appealed during the press conference held by Ford on Monday morning to send education workers back to schools so that students can return to in-person learning.

Ford said, "I very much hope CUPE shows the same willingness to make concessions as we do today." "I hope they hear my call to keep students in class, but that is not something I can guarantee."

9:49 AM
New Democratic Party leader Peter Tabuns said at Queen's Park, following Ford's press conference, that if the premier is serious about withdrawing the legislation, he should call the legislature immediately.

He told media that Bill 28 is a "grave mistake."

9:38 AM
The European Union for Work and Workers' president, along with a number of national and regional labor leaders, was expected to issue a statement at 11 AM.

9:21 AM
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he is willing to cancel the legislation that made the Ontario education workers' strike illegal if their union is willing to stop their mass strike.

Ford added Monday morning: "As a goodwill gesture, our government is willing to cancel the legislation, willing to cancel Section 33, but only if CUPE agrees to show a similar gesture of goodwill by stopping their strike and allowing our children to return to their classrooms."