ETFO threatens to strike in October
Posted Sep 18, 2015 11:37:30 AM.
Last Updated Sep 18, 2015 11:50:46 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The only teachers union still seeking a contract agreement with the provincial government says it will ramp up job action on Monday and start rotating strikes in October if no progress is made at the bargaining table.
An Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario spokesperson told 570 news that the government and the Ontario Public School Board’s Association have not called a return to the table so they are escalating work to rule strike action as of Monday.
She would not disclose any details, but would only say it is administrative in nature.
Talks between the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and the province broke down last week after the union rejected what it called a “cookie-cutter” offer from the Wynne government modeled on deals with other teachers’ unions.
The union says a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t address the specific needs of elementary-aged education.
The federation says it will step up work-to-rule job action on Monday — but details have not yet been announced.
While public elementary teachers are talking about ramping up job action, teachers at English Catholic schools have voted nearly 80 per cent in favour of a contract agreement reached with the province last month.
The president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association calls the results of yesterday’s ratification vote a win-win — saying it addresses members’ concerns as well as the quality of education.
Agreements still have to be reached with local school boards but 50-thousand teachers will remain on the job while those negotiations continue.
Ratification votes are pending for French-language Catholic teachers and public high school teachers.
