Tim Hudak says unions should not be able to tell teachers they can’t provide extracurricular activities.

Speaking in Ottawa, Hudak said Tuesday the Ontario Labour Relations Act would be changed under a Conservative government so unions could no longer “intimidate” its own members, for example by threatening fines of up to $500 for ignoring union directives.

Hudak insisted that extracurricular would still remain voluntary but a Tory government would provide incentives such as time in lieu or reduction in supervisory time for those teachers who go above and beyond.

“There should be no such thing as work-to-rule when it comes to our children’s education. Yet sports and clubs are being held hostage — and students with them,” Hudak said in a statement.

Public elementary and high school teachers, who are locked into a dispute with the McGuinty Liberal government over the imposition of Bill 115, are refusing to arrive early or stay after school to provide extracurricular activities, be it sports or clubs.

“We will give boards and principals the flexibility to reward teachers for before-and-after school involvement through less supervisory time and relief from other duties,” he said.

The Tories would however amend the Education Act to spell out that teachers are expected to complete detailed report cards and hold meetings with parents, among other things.

Tory education critic MPP Lisa MacLeod said Ontario must prevent union leaders from intimidating teachers with the threat of fines.

“It’s none of their business how our teaching professionals use their volunteer time. We will prohibit these bullying tactics in law,” she said in a statement.

Hudak is expected to release the party’s next Paths to Prosperity on Thursday, which will focus on the K-12 education system.

While public elementary and high school teachers have backed off on days of protest, they have not moved on their refusal to provide extracurricular activities. They are still steamed that the government, through Bill 115, imposed a contract on them,

The Liberals, meanwhile, have announced they will repeal the controversial bill Wednesday.