Elementary teachers withdraw from extracurriculars amid stalled bargaining
Posted Oct 22, 2015 12:55:54 PM.
Last Updated Oct 23, 2015 06:05:37 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Elementary teachers in Ontario will ramp up their work to rule campaign next week and this time they’ll be targeting extracurriculars.
The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says it will withdraw all extra-curricular activities on Wednesday October 28 if they still don’t have a deal with the province by then.
“The Liberal government and OPSBA have ignored all attempts by ETFO to get them to return to the central bargaining table, including an offer to refer one issue to binding arbitration. If OPSBA and the government want a deal, why are they not responding to our efforts to resume bargaining? Why are they not back at the bargaining table with us?” said ETFO President Sam Hammond.
“Our members do not undertake this escalation of strike action lightly, but they understand that reaching a fair and reasonable agreement will not happen unless OPSBA and the government are present at the bargaining table.”
“We are calling on OPSBA and the government to return to the central bargaining table with ETFO to work to conclude this round of negotiations. ETFO members have been working without a contract since August 2014. That is not good for our teachers or for our students,” added Hammond.
The government has reached deals with the other major teachers’ unions, but talks with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario are stalled.
Education Minister Liz Sandals said Wednesday that the government has been available to bargain and ready to go back to the table.
