Public high school teachers protest at MPP's offices

TORONTO - Their plans for a day of protest scuttled by an Ontario Labour Relations Board ruling, public high school teachers staged after-school protests in several southern Ontario centres on Wednesday.

Teachers rallied at the offices of local MPPs in cities including London, Chatham, Mississauga and Kitchener to protest Bill 115 -- the controversial legislation that allowed the governing Liberals to impose new contracts on them.

The province has vowed to repeal Bill 115 now that it has served its purpose, but the teachers say the legislation trampled their democratic rights.

Teachers in the Ottawa area plan to stage a similar protest on Thursday.

Toronto public high school teachers joined their elementary school counterparts on Tuesday evening to protest outside the Ministry of Education offices.

The high school teachers -- represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation -- have withdrawn voluntary and extracurricular activities to protest the legislation.

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  High school teachers protest outside the office of MPP Chris Bentley in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.

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  A sign reading 'You have broten our spirit, Laurel' is seen at a teachers' protest outside MPP Chris Bentley's office in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. (Cristina Howorun / CTV London)