Rights & Responsibilities

Outlined in the ETFO Constitution

As a teacher or occasional teacher working in the elementary panel of a public district school board or school authority, or as an education worker in a bargaining unit for which ETFO holds bargaining rights, you are an active member of the federation.  As such, you enjoy certain rights and privileges, but are also responsible for upholding the ETFO Code of Professional Conduct. 

ETFO has established specific rights, obligations and responsibilities regarding member conduct.  These rights, obligations and responsibilities are referenced in the ETFO Constitution, a document that describes the fundamental principles of the organization.

Within the ETFO Constitution is the Code of Professional Conduct.  This Code outlines your obligations within the Federation.  As a member of ETFO you are expected to adhere to these obligations.

A Code of Professional Conduct is a framework that informs and guides your actions in relation to your colleagues, your Union and your profession.  The Federation can best accomplish its objects when individual members adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct.  Respecting the Code helps ETFO to work on your behalf to

• improve working conditions,
• advance the profession and the cause of public education,
• raise the status of teachers and educational workers,
• ensure a professional working environment, and
• advocate for social justice and equity. 

We all benefit from this individual responsibility within collective action. A strong union for teachers and education workers is vital to quality education in the province.

The rights, privileges, obligations and responsibilities of membership are outlined in the ETFO Constitution in the following articles:

As a member of a union, it is essential that you understand the importance of the Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to your responsibilities in order to reinforce the strength of the collective.

ETFO employs the principles of due process and natural justice in investigating alleged violations of the Code. Complaints must be submitted, in writing, to the General Secretary. The procedure for investigating formal complaints is outlined in Article VII of the ETFO Constitution.

ETFO may implement a range of sanctions for a breach of the Code that may include, but are not limited to:

• Letter of Concern
• Publication of the member’s name in a federation document
• Denial of services for a specific period of time
• Suspension of the right to hold office locally and provincially for a specific period of time
• Monetary fines