An empty classroom. February 22, 2017. (Photo by Wokandapix from Pixabay)An empty classroom. February 22, 2017. (Photo by Wokandapix from Pixabay)
Windsor

ETFO to begin next phase of its work-to-rule

An Ontario teachers' union is preparing to turn up the heat in its efforts to get a fair contract from the province.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will begin phase two of its work-to-rule campaign on Tuesday. The union, which represents elementary school teachers and educational support employees provincewide, has been under work-to-rule since November 26.

Union members are already performing duties according to the job descriptions laid out in the collective bargaining agreement, and no more than that. With phase two, ETFO members are being asked not to perform additional tasks, which include the following.

  • Participate in any performance appraisal or evaluation process unless the member has received a previous unsatisfactory report or is ‘under review.'
  • Prepare a bulletin board or school display if requested to do so by an administrator or supervisor.
  • Plan any new field trips scheduled to occur before June 30, 2020.
  • Perform any duties that are customarily performed by a school administrator or direct supervisor.
  • Collect funds or participate in the electronic collection of monies for school-based activities except those for charitable causes.
  • Purchase supplies on a member’s own time if requested to do so by an administrator or supervisor
ETFO President Sam Hammond said that they would continue to hold the provincial government accountable for planned cuts to education.

"At a time when the Ford government has wasted more than $230 million to cancel renewable energy projects, it is also demanding up to $150 million in cuts to elementary education. That’s unacceptable," said Hammond in a statement published on November 26. "No one wants cuts except this government, which has to find a way to pay for the mistakes caused by its irresponsible and short-sighted decisions."

Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said on Friday that his main concern is keeping children in class with minimal disruption to their studies. He brushed off charges that the province has not been willing to negotiate.

"We’ve made moves, we have stayed at the table," said Lecce as reported by Global News. "Leadership of teachers unions have dug in their heels because they exist to advance the interest of their members. My job is to fight for your children."

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