ETFO James Bay Teacher Local to stage one-day strike on Monday December 17

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - ETFO James Bay public elementary teachers and occasional teachers in Moosonee and Moose Factory will stage a one-day strike this Monday December 17^th 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."

"Let there be no doubt that teachers in our local and right across this province are very frustrated with a government and an education minister who have trampled our fundamental rights," said Jennifer Knight, president of the James Bay Teacher Local. "We have been forced into a strike because Bill 115 has taken away local autonomy. We want to continue discussions with our local school boards but this legislation and this education minister are restricting our ability to find fair and respectful resolutions."

The local moved into a legal strike position on December 6, 2012. It received no board reports through the conciliator appointed by the Ministry of Labour to resolve the bargaining impasse with Moosonee District School Area Board and Moose Factory Island District School Area Board.  During a vote on September 11, 2012, the local received overwhelming mandates for strike action from its members. 

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 James Bay Teacher Local represents 39 elementary teachers and 5 occasional teachers employed by Moosonee District School Area Board and Moose Factory Island District School Area Board.

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

Jennifer Knight, James Bay Teacher Local, 705-658-2284, [email protected]