School boards and labour partners share a commitment to public education.  The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process, involving both central and local bargaining. Central bargaining typically includes significant monetary and policy issues (e.g., compensation, benefits and paid leaves), while local negotiations typically involve non-monetary issues or matters that are specific to the local board.

At TVDSB, there are 6 bargaining units currently engaged in provincial and local bargaining - ETFO, ETFO-Occasional Teachers, OSSTF, OSSTF-Occasional Teachers, OSSTF- Professional Student Services Personnel, and OSSTF- Continuing Education Workers. The parties are required by legislation to meet and to bargain in good faith. This means that each side must make every reasonable effort to reach a collective agreement.

For a strike/job action to occur, in addition to a strike mandate, a "no board report" has to be issued by the Minister of Labour informing all parties that the parties are not in a position to reach a settlement. A strike or lock-out can only start on the 17th day after the "no board" notice has been mailed. In addition, at least five days before the strike begins, the employee bargaining agency must give written notice of the strike indicating the date that the strike will begin. To date, a 'no board report' has not been provided so no bargaining unit is currently in a legal position to engage in job action.