ETFO Agrees to Accept Education Minister’s Funding Proposal

February 12, 2009

The Executive of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has agreed to accept the Minister of Education’s funding proposal that establishes the framework for local collective bargaining.

"The elimination of the oppressive strips to our members’ rights proposed by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association is the reason why we are prepared to move forward," said ETFO President David Clegg.

“A better deal could have been achieved for elementary education if the proposal we offered during PDT discussions in December had been accepted.

 “It would have created 1,500 high quality jobs in struggling communities, enhanced programming for elementary students, and more specialist teachers for children in need. The fact that it was rejected is an indication that job creation is not the same priority for government as it was for us.”

With a framework agreement now in place, the public school boards have no more excuses for delaying local negotiations, Clegg said.

“We are committed to doing everything in our power to reach fair local collective agreements. But if boards waste precious time attempting to negotiate strips into our local agreements our members will move into a position to take strike action. Boards who make such a mistake will bear the full responsibility for any disruptions that may follow," said Clegg.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 73,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.