Tensions continue to rise between teachers in Ontario and the provincial government ahead of the start of the new school year.
Officials with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have announced the union will hold in-person meetings to conduct central strike votes and address bargaining issues. The all-member meetings are expected to be held across the province from mid-September to mid-October.
Despite repeated efforts to get the government to talk about issues such as improved support for students with special needs, violence in schools, compensation, and workload and working conditions, the union accuses the government of refusing to engage in any meaningful discussions.
“ETFO members have been without an agreement for almost a year. They have been patient, but their patience has run out. We need the Ford government to take bargaining seriously and to act in good faith, as required by law,” said ETFO President Karen Brown in a news release. “ETFO’s goal is to reach fair and reasonable agreements without having to take job action. We need the government’s full attention on bargaining so we can address pressing concerns in public education.”
Education Minister Stephen Lecce released his own statement on Monday, saying threats of another strike create anxiety for parents and students, calling the union’s move unnecessary and unfair.
“Our government has been bargaining in good faith, meeting over 170 times with all education unions, and are focused on securing a deal that keeps kids in class, provides parents with stability, and treats educators fairly,” Lecce said. “After private mediation was rejected by teachers’ unions to reach deals, we are available to meet every day to negotiate a deal that keeps students in class and improves the outcomes of students.”
Holding a central strike vote is one part of the legal bargaining process established under Ontario labour laws.
ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel.