The union representing elementary school teachers across the province has taken over 80,000 educators another step closer to job action at Ontario schools.
The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) asked the Minister of Labour for a "no-board report" on Monday after talks stalled between the union and the provincial government. Ontario's elementary school teachers will be in a legal strike position 17 days after the report is received.
"The government and school board agencies were not interested in arriving at a fair settlement," said ETFO President Sam Hammond in a statement. "Ford and his Minister of Education Stephen Lecce still are not listening. They have let everyone - parents, students and educators - down. This government doesn’t seem to care about students with special needs, our youngest learners in Kindergarten, larger elementary class sizes, and fewer elementary teachers in schools. All the Ford government cares about are cuts."
Hammond said the union is hopeful the no-board report will force the school boards and the government to take "discussions seriously."
Elementary educators have been in negotiations for a new contract since June, and strike votes were held in Ontario districts throughout the month of October after bargaining entered conciliation. It was announced last week that elementary teachers and occasional teachers voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action if it is needed.
"We are considering our options, but ETFO’s priority at this point is to reach an agreement that meets the needs of students and our members," said Hammond.
The union has cited a number of issues that are being addressed during bargaining including more support for students with special needs, class size and class structure, the protection of full-day kindergarten and fair and transparent hiring practices.