York Region’s elementary teachers and educational support staff today received instructions from the union that represents them on work-to-rule strike action that could begin in all local primary schools on Tuesday, Nov. 26 if a new contract deal is not reached before then.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents 83,000 members in public elementary schools throughout the province, said in a Nov. 14 news release that the potential labour action only “targets (Education) Ministry and school board administrative tasks, and does not impact on students”.
For example, if phase 1 of the work-to-rule action is carried out, local teachers will not complete first term report cards, participate in the development of the math proficiency test for faculty of education students, participate in professional development offered by the Education Ministry, attend staff meetings or school board committee meetings, or complete any surveys/data collection activities.
ETFO members will continue to maintain contact with parents and provide scheduled supervisory duties.
“Our goal is to turn up the heat on Premier Ford and his education minister, Stephen Lecce,” ETFO president Sam Hammond said in today’s release. “It’s critical that they finally come to contract talks prepared to address the real issues of concern: more supports for students with special needs, the protection of Ontario’s Kindergarten program and critical issues like addressing violence in schools.”
When reached for comment this afternoon, York Region District School Board spokesperson Licinio Miguelo said while the union sanctions are mostly administrative, the board recognizes it is “disappointing for students and their families”.
“We will work to minimize the effects of these provincial sanctions in the classroom,” Miguelo said. “Locally, we continue to bargain with and have a good working relationship with all our employee groups.”
In response to the union’s notification of job action, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the partial withdrawal of services will “hurt our kids, despite a limited number of outstanding items on the table”.
“The Government and the Council of Trustees' Association (CTA) have continued to table reasonable and expanded offers through the negotiation process, with only one interest in mind: landing a deal that keeps our kids in class,” Lecce said. “...the singular victim of this escalation is our kids.”
“I stand with parents who know that labour action by unions hurts our students, and we will work to ensure students remain in the classroom,” said Lecce. “As I have always said, my negotiating team stands ready for meaningful, good faith bargaining 24/7, to reach the deals Ontario students and families deserve."
Ontario’s elementary teachers have been without a contract since Aug. 31.
The ETFO said its bargaining goals include class size caps, extra special education supports, salary and benefits top-ups, improvements to workload, working conditions, health and safety protection, and increased job security.
“Parents, teachers, and education professionals know that the government’s agenda of cuts, not investment in public education, is harmful to our students’ education and future,” EFTO president Sam Hammond said. “We’re taking the legal steps available to us to get a better deal that supports our members and students and helps preserve Ontario’s world-class education system.”
Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario - York Region president David Clegg could not be reached before publication.
Check back for more on this developing story.
