TORONTO -- Ontario's main teachers' unions say they expect thousands of their members to gather at the legislature today during a provincewide strike.

The labour groups say today marks the first time since 1997 that teachers and education workers from all the major unions will walk out on the same day.

Teachers will be picketing at schools across the province, but in Toronto, members are being directed to the legislature, which they plan to surround.

Legislative security is bracing for a large crowd and has said the road around the building will be closed.

Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, says he hopes it sends a message to the government.

Meanwhile, Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square is expected to be packed for an upcoming education rally.

Thousands are set to picket outside Kitchener City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the two million students who will be out of class today should be in school instead.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2020.