"The end of hybrid education, smaller classes, more support for classrooms, increased salaries and an annual increase of one percent"... These were some of the negotiation priorities for teachers' unions during their talks with the government, while their counterparts from support staff are already exchanging offers with district and school boards. However, the annual salary offer of 1.25 or 2% presented by the government on Monday to CUPE - representing 55,000 support staff - is not enough, according to the unions. They stated that CUPE support staff earn an average of $39,000 per year, but this figure includes part-time workers. In this regard, Karen Littlewood, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, said: "It is interesting because with CUPE sitting at the table in front of us, we can look to the future with them, but (the salary offer) certainly does not reflect the words of the Premier or the Minister of Education, who said we would be respectful and make sure we support public education. In fact, it does not show any kind of respect for the lower-paid workers who keep the education system running."

Talks for all teachers' unions are still in the early stages, but an offer is expected by mid-September. However, all contracts will expire at the end of August, and it is unlikely that new contracts will be negotiated by then.

On the other hand, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he wants a normal start to the school year, through extracurricular sports and clubs, although no labor action is currently underway. All unions have said that members are free to organize sports and clubs after school when classes resume in September.