The next big question for Horwath

Also: Lecce can't rule out legislating away teacher strikes, Grits react to Fraser taking the reins again

ABOVE THE FOLD

ANDREA HORWATH is poised to join the race for Hamilton Mayor — now what? But first — the Education Minister couldn’t rule out legislating away teachers’ ability to strike. And for the second time, the Grits pick JOHN FRASER to lead them in the interim.

SCHOOL’S IN SESSION — STEPHEN LECCE was cagey when pressed on whether the government is willing to table legislation making teachers essential service workers, effectively taking away their ability to strike or use work-to-rule action — such as cutting back on extracurriculars as bargaining tactic.

It follows our scoop on chatter that such a move was on the table.

For now, the goal, Lecce said, is to score voluntary agreements as teachers and eduction workers ramp up negotiations with contracts due to expire August 31.

“Our government’s intention in these negotiations is to land a voluntary agreement that keeps children in class and gets them back with the full student experience,” Lecce said at the Viola Desmond Elementar…