ETFO Greater Essex County locals to stage one-day strike on Tuesday December 18

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Greater Essex public elementary teachers and occasional teachers will stage a one-day strike this Tuesday December 18 to continue sending the government a message that Bill 115 is severely impeding local collective bargaining.

"To date, the education minister has yet to do anything to assist local school boards in pursuing fair and respectful negotiations with our members," said Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO). "She can end the chaos she has created by repealing Bill 115 and letting local bargaining proceed without interference."

"It is regrettable that we've been forced to take this action, but Bill 115 is a fundamental attack on our right to bargain collectively," said Adelina Cecchin, president of the Greater Essex County Teacher Local. "The education minister has seriously interfered with a negotiating process that has worked well for decades."

"We will not just stand by and allow the government to erode our constitutional rights," added Sharon Ciebin, president of the Greater Essex County Occasional Teacher Local. "Our members are prepared to defend their right to free and fair collective bargaining."

During a vote on October 1, 2012, the locals received overwhelming mandates for strike action from their members. The locals moved into a legal strike position on December 10, 2012. Prior to that, they received no board reports through the conciliator appointed by the Ministry of Labour to resolve their bargaining impasse with Greater Essex County District School Board.

Fast Facts:

ETFO is the professional and protective organization representing over 76,000 teachers, occasional teachers, and education professionals employed in the public elementary schools of Ontario.

ETFO Greater Essex County Teacher Local represents 1,515 elementary teachers employed by Greater Essex District School Board. The Greater Essex County Occasional Teacher Local represents 355 Teachers.

Collective agreements for all ETFO locals expired on August 31, 2012.  Since then, ETFO members have been working without collective agreements in place.   

SOURCE: Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Adelina Cecchin, Greater Essex County Teacher Local President, 519-999-8291, [email protected]
Sharon Ciebin, Greater Essex County Occasional Teacher Local President, 519-987-3836, [email protected]