The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will continue week two of rotating strikes, having sent the five-day required strike notice for Kawartha Pine Ridge, Hastings-Prince Edward and Upper Grand school boards as well as Moosonee and Moose Factory Island school authorities for Tuesday January 28.
“ETFO is very disappointed that Ford’s Education Minister Lecce has not come back to the bargaining table to negotiate key issues affecting students, student learning and educators,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond. “It is now 35 days since ETFO’s last bargaining session on December 19, 2019.
“I am concerned at the amount of disinformation that Minister Lecce is saying to the public through the media and social media. Either he is misinformed about what has taken place during contract talks or he is purposefully sharing inaccurate information to cover up the continuing cuts he wants to make to public education.”
“His negotiators have not returned to talks to discuss ETFO’s revised proposals tabled on December 19 concerning more supports to students with special needs or solutions to address violence in schools.”
As previously announced, members in ETFO’s Simcoe, Waterloo and Keewatin-Patricia locals will conduct a one-day strike on Monday January 27.
“Minister Lecce is wrong when he says our strike action is about money. Ask any ETFO educator and they will tell you that lack of supports for children with special needs, large class sizes and the violent incidents occurring in classrooms due to lack of supports for students with unique learning needs are the reasons they are willing to go on strike,” added Hammond.
“These were the bargaining priorities that our members asked ETFO to pursue in a province-wide survey sent to them last year.”
To arrange interviews with local presidents and members, please contact:
Kawartha Pine Ridge locals: Valerie Dugale, Strike Coordinator, cell: 416-948-0195, vdugale@etfo.org
Hastings-Prince Edward locals: James Taylor, Strike Coordinator, cell: 416-459-1047, jtaylor@etfo.org
Upper Grand Locals: Jane Bennett, Strike Coordinator, cell: 905-975-2297, jbennett@etfo.org
Moosonee, Moose Factory: Evelyn McGrogan, Strike Coordinator, cell: 416-518-5499, emcgrogan@etfo.org
