Sixteen ETFO teacher, occasional teacher, and DECE locals begin work-to-rule December 10

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Sixteen ETFO teacher, occasional teacher, and designated early childhood educator (DECE) locals have received no board reports through the conciliator appointed by the Ministry of Labour to resolve their bargaining impasse with their respective school boards. As a result, these locals have begun work-to-rule as of December 10, 2012.

"Bill 115 has brought the bargaining process of these locals to a standstill. It is unfortunate that teachers, occasional teachers, and DECEs from these locals will withdraw from all administrative activities while continuing to teach students and ensure student safety," said Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

The locals are:

• Durham Teacher, Occasional Teacher, and DECE Locals
• Greater Essex Teacher and Occasional Teacher Locals
• Hamilton-Wentworth Teacher, Occasional Teacher, and DECE Locals
• Peel Teacher and Occasional Teacher Locals
• Rainbow Teacher and Occasional Teacher Locals
• Superior-Greenstone Teacher and Occasional Teacher Locals
• Toronto Teacher and Occasional Teacher Locals

Local bargaining stalled following the passage in September of Bill 115, which has imposed drastic cuts to ETFO members' collective agreements and attacked their democratic rights.

During votes taken earlier this fall, every local received an overwhelming mandate for strike action from their members. The Ontario Labour Relations Act requires that a strike mandate and a no board report must be received, and 16 days must pass following the receipt of the no board report, before legal strike action can occur. 

SOURCE: Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Valerie Dugale, ETFO Media Relations, 416-948-0195