ETFO increases strike action to prod government, OPSBA to address classroom issues at bargaining table

TORONTO, May 29, 2015 /CNW/ - As a result of the obstinacy of the Liberal government and Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) in addressing real issues during bargaining, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario will increase its Phase 1 strike action. ETFO's collective agreements have been expired for nine months.

The additional struck work beginning June 1^st is administrative in nature and is designed to have minimal impact on students. Teachers and occasional teachers will further withdraw from Ministry meetings and workshops as well as mandated meetings with principals.

"All students, including students with special needs, will continue to receive the high quality instruction that our teachers provide," said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

"We are increasing this strike action because of the obstinacy of the government and OPSBA in addressing real issues that affect teachers and the learning conditions in our schools. That is our priority during this round of bargaining. It's time the government and OPSBA stopped playing games and adopted the same priorities."

OPSBA has tabled demands that would allow increases in class sizes, have teachers' preparation time directed by others and have their ability to support student learning compromised.

"We are appalled that Premier Wynne and her government have abandoned their responsibility to encourage meaningful bargaining at the central bargaining table by blatantly siding with OPSBA on every one of its objectionable demands," added Hammond. "While the government and OPSBA think they can stonewall on these issues until they go away, I can tell you that ETFO will continue to pursue and escalate strike actions into the coming school year as necessary." 

"The Education Minister has made matters worse with her disingenuous comments. This strike action is about teachers' working conditions and students' learning conditions, not money. We are ready to return to the table the moment that the government and OPSBA remove the offensive strips they have put forward that will have a negative impact on teacher working conditions and student learning conditions."

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

What ETFO's Extended Phase 1 Strike Action Means
As of June 1, 2015, ETFO Teacher and Occasional Teacher members will continue to withdraw from administrative services as outlined in its release of May 8, 2015.
They will now withdraw from additional administrative services as follows:
NOT	complete any paperwork/application/proposal to the Ministry for special grants or funding.  (NOTE:  This does not include funding for special needs students, e.g., Special Incidence Portion (SIP), Special Equipment Amount (SEA) claims).
Teachers will continue to complete paperwork or applications to the Ministry regarding funding for special needs students and will also continue to use Applied Behavioural Analyses with such students.
NOT	participate in the preparation or completion of Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transition Reports;
NOT	participate in any grade to grade transition meetings (e.g., SK to Grade 1, Grade 5 to Grade 6, Grade 6 to Grade 7, Grade 8 to Grade 9, etc.).
Teachers are free to get together of their own volition to deal with grade transitions. What is being struck is principal-mandated meetings.
NOT	complete end-of-year OSR activities including filing, sorting and completion of French Cards;
NOT	participate in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities on the end-of-the-year PA Day.  Instead, teachers and OTs WILL use this time for their own self-directed activities within the classroom/school;
NOT	participate in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities on the start-of-the-year PA day.  Instead, teachers and OTs WILL use this time for their own self-directed activities within the classroom/school;
NOT	book any field trips for the 2015-16 instructional year.

SOURCE Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

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