Members of the local Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will take a strike vote on Monday (Jan. 17), but local president Sharon Preston emphasizes this is just another step in the bargaining process.
“A strike is not the goal. The goal is to support the bargaining initiatives we’ve set out, both locally and provincially,” she stressed.
“It’s just to say what we’re asking for, we’re serious about. It’s just part of the process,” she added.
The vote does not set a deadline for negotiations.
All elementary teacher locals across Ontario will take a strike vote by mid-February.
Teachers across the province have been in a legal strike position since Aug. 31, 2004 when their collective agreements expired.
The Ministry of Education currently is in discussions with teachers’ unions, school board associations, and other affiliates to help ensure successful bargaining.
“They’re trying to set a groundwork so that further action with local affiliates will not have to take place,” Preston said.
The ETFO has set out a number of bargaining goals for all elementary teachers in Ontario, including 200 minutes of preparation time a week, a maximum of 60 minutes supervision time per week, a “real salary increase,” as well as enhanced language for pregnancy and parental leave, and benefit provisions.
Teachers’ locals also set out local goals for teachers in their respective districts to negotiate with school boards.
The local ETFO will have its next negotiation meetings with the Rainy River District School Board on Monday and Tuesday (Jan. 17-18). The last meetings were held in early November.
“We’re always optimistic. We’re always hoping both sides will bargain in good faith,” Preston said.
In November, nearly all school boards across the province requested conciliation from the Labour Relations Board.
When meetings resume next week, a conciliator will be present. Preston said seeking outside help is a positive step.
“The only way you’ll come to a satisfactory conclusion is if you keep talking,” she remarked.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
