Labour unrest with the Ontario’s striking public high school teachers could come to a head this week.

Education Minister Liz Sandals has reiterated that back to work legislation could be passed if the Education Relations Commission determines the school year is in jeopardy as a result of the walkouts.

Peel public high school teachers have been off the job for three weeks, while teachers in Durham and Sudbury have been on strike since last month.

Meantime, representatives with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation have applied for conciliation after mediated negotiations broke down on Saturday. Under Ontario’s Labour Relations Act, conciliation is the step the OSSTF must take before launching a province wide strike.

In another development, the Labour Relations Board is expected to rule this week on the legality of the strikes in Peel, Durham and Sudbury.