ETFO has tabled no formal salary position; focus is on student learning conditions

TORONTO, June 16, 2015 /CNW/ - The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has not formally tabled any salary position at the central bargaining table with the government and the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA). Instead, it agreed only to talk about non-monetary issues that have an impact on student learning.

"OPSBA's release regarding our supposed monetary demands is a tactic to deflect the pressure its school boards are currently facing to produce report cards, a situation some brought on themselves by refusing to release the marks submitted by teachers," said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

"I have said all along that the current discussions are not about money. ETFO has not tabled a formal monetary position at the central bargaining table. Instead we have focused on non-monetary issues such as class size, fair and transparent hiring practices, teacher professionalism and other issues."

ETFO has tabled a number of issues related to student learning conditions including:

• additional support for children with special needs;
• streamlining and consolidating numerous Ministry initiatives that are currently unfocussed and do not contribute to student achievement;
• respecting teachers' professional judgment in using assessment and diagnostic testing in the classroom.

"Instead of trying to shame and blame teachers, we need OPSBA to put their energies into reaching a fair and reasonable collective agreement. If they can't or won't, then the Liberal government should intervene rapidly to restore stability in the education system.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.

SOURCE Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Valerie Dugale, ETFO Media Relations: Cell: 416-948-0195, [email protected]