The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has begun its ‘Phase 1’ work-to-rule strike action across the province yesterday.
Last Thursday, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) said they will join ETFO in the work-to-rule strike action.
ETFO members will withdraw from Ministry of Education and school board activities while remaining in the classroom to instruct and support their students, said a statement.
ETFO President Sam Hammond said, “Education Minister Stephen Lecce claims only a few bargaining issues are outstanding. That is not the case. We are very far apart on many substantive items that affect both ETFO members and student learning environments.”
“At a time when the Ford government has wasted more than $230 million to cancel renewable energy projects, it is also demanding up to $150 million in cuts to elementary education. That’s unacceptable. No one wants cuts except this government, which has to find a way to pay for the mistakes caused by its irresponsible and short-sighted decisions.”
“ETFO has raised issues that are being ignored, like rising school-based violence and reasonable class sizes for our youngest learners. A regulation in place since 2012 around teacher hiring is in jeopardy. Without it, school boards will revert to cronyism and favouritism rather than hiring teachers based on their qualifications and experience,” added Hammond.
Minister Lecce, said, “It is regrettable the ETFO and OSSTF have chosen to escalate to work-to-rule action, only hurting our children. This escalation to a partial withdrawal of services, including targeting math supports and report cards, hurts our children the most.
“The government has remained a consistent and reasonable force at the negotiating table, trying to reach a deal that provides certainty and predictability to parents, students, and educators. As evidenced by the voluntarily negotiated agreement with CUPE, I know we can get there through working together in good faith, so that students remain in class.
“My negotiating team stands ready for meaningful, good-faith bargaining 24/7, to reach the deals Ontario students and families deserve. There is a path to a deal, and it requires all parties to be reasonable and fair and put the needs of our children first.”
ALSO READ: