The union representing thousands of Ontario elementary teachers is filing for conciliation with the Ministry of Labour as it struggles to reach a deal with the province ahead of the new school year.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) advised school board agency and government representatives that the Federation would be applying for conciliation with the Minister of Labour for its two central tables – teacher/occasional teacher and education worker.
“Over the past year, ETFO’s central bargaining team has attempted to resolve key issues to secure a fair deal for its teacher, occasional teacher, and education worker members. But after a full year of bargaining without sufficient progress and negotiations at a standstill, the Federation is filing for conciliation,” says ETFO President Karen Brown. “Our members have been incredibly patient, but their patience has run out.”
Conciliation means a non-binding third party will be brought in to work with the union and the government in an attempt to come up with a solution. The alternative would have seen any outstanding issues settled by binding arbitration, thereby avoiding a strike.
Last week, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation agreed to the government’s offer of arbitration, however, ETFO officials say a plan that might be acceptable at the high school level may not work at the elementary level.
Officials say entering into binding arbitration could also impact local bargaining with individual school boards where many workload and professional issues need to be addressed.
Elementary teachers across Ontario will take part in central strike vote meetings in September and October.