Elementary students in Hamilton public schools will be out of the classroom due to strikes for two days in a row next week as part of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) protests.

Elementary school teachers in the Hamilton-Wentworth Public District School board will be part of a province-wide strike on Thursday. Then, it's their turn to picket on Friday as part of the union's weekly rotating strikes.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board teachers will also be at the picket line next Tuesday, Feb. 4.

The walkouts come as Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the Ministry of Labour mediator is calling parties back to the table.

"We look forward to the opportunity to negotiate to reach a voluntary settlement that ends the union-led escalation that is hurting so many students," Lecce said in a release.

Our aim has always been to reach a negotiated settlement that keeps kids in class, which we have done successfully with multiple labour partners to date. Our hope is the union will come to the table with realistic proposals that prioritize student success over compensation demands."

For now, only public high school students will be in class all week.

OECTA president Liz Stuart said in a release while she understands people in the province might be growing frustrated, teachers must stand firm.

"Strike action is tough for everyone, but it is a sacrifice we need to make to show the government we will not be deterred in our efforts to protect what we have worked so hard to build," she said.

ETFO President Sam Hammond also shared her concerns, noting the key issues relate to class size increases and government imposed e-learning requirements.

"Fair contract talks must include: appropriate funding for Special Education; a strategy to address classroom violence; maintaining our internationally recognized Kindergarten program; fair hiring practices; class sizes that meet the needs of elementary students; and compensation that keeps up with inflation."

Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce say compensation is the primary sticking point.

Last November, the Ford government passed a bill that caps public sector yearly wage increases at one per cent for the next three years. Multiple unions have launched legal challenges against the legislation.

Ford said last week he has no intention of reconsidering the wage increase limit and Lecce added the strikes have "imposed hardship on parents in this province."