The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario says members will “work to rule” come Monday, rather than striking.
The union says teachers will not participate in administrative duties or provide support to school staff or principals. There will be no EQAO testing, report card comments or professional development meetings.
President Sam Hammond says as long as the province continues to make unreasonable demands, the work to rule campaign will continue.
This is what is being called “phase one” of the job action campaign. Should the issues escalate, the union says teachers will still consider walking off the job and hitting the picket lines.
Avon Maitland District School Board Director Ted Doherty released a statement shortly after the ETFO made public it's plans. He says until further notice, all AMDSB schools will remain open and programming will continue. School activities such as field trips, sports, extracurricular activities are expected to continue as planned.
“So we’re hopeful, as all parties are, that through effective collective bargaining these issues that are outstanding will be resolved and the job action will end before it enters another phase," Doherty told CKNX News shortly after the announcement.
Avon Maitland secondary students, Grades 9 to 12, will not be affected by this job action.
Bluewater District School Board chair Ron Motz says parents and students will not notice much of a difference come Monday.
"The main message is that students are going to be in school on Monday, classes will proceed as normal as far as the student is concerned, student and parents are concerned, so there's no need for concern from that point of view," said Motz.
The action will continue until bargaining issues are resolved or ETFO deems further actions are required.