Elementary teachers escalating work-to-rule

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario said May 29 it's escalating its work-to-rule strike action as a result of what it calls the “obstinacy” of the province and Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.

The additional struck work beginning June 1 is administrative in nature and is designed to have minimal impact on students, a press release said.

Teachers and occasional teachers will further withdraw from ministry meetings and workshops as well as mandated meetings with principals.

“All students, including students with special needs, will continue to receive the high quality instruction that our teachers provide,” said ETFO president Sam Hammond, in a press release.

“We are increasing this strike action because of the obstinacy of the government and OPSBA in addressing real issues that affect teachers and the learning conditions in our schools. That is our priority during this round of bargaining. It’s time the government and OPSBA stopped playing games and adopted the same priorities.”

OPSBA has tabled demands that would allow increases in class sizes, have teachers’ preparation time directed by others and have their ability to support student learning compromised, the press release said.

“We are appalled that Premier Wynne and her government have abandoned their responsibility to encourage meaningful bargaining at the central bargaining table by blatantly siding with OPSBA on every one of its objectionable demands,” added Hammond. “While the government and OPSBA think they can stonewall on these issues until they go away, I can tell you that ETFO will continue to pursue and escalate strike actions into the coming school year as necessary.”

“The Education Minister has made matters worse with her disingenuous comments. This strike action is about teachers’ working conditions and students’ learning conditions, not money. We are ready to return to the table the moment that the government and OPSBA remove the offensive strips they have put forward that will have a negative impact on teacher working conditions and student learning conditions.”

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.

ETFO members will:

-NOT complete any paperwork/application/proposal to the Ministry for special grants or funding. (NOTE: This does not include funding for special needs students, e.g., Special Incidence Portion (SIP), Special Equipment Amount (SEA) claims). Teachers will continue to complete paperwork or applications to the Ministry regarding funding for special needs students and will also continue to use Applied Behavioural Analyses with such students.

-NOT participate in the preparation or completion of Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transition Reports;

-NOT participate in any grade to grade transition meetings (e.g., SK to Grade 1, Grade 5 to Grade 6, Grade 6 to Grade 7, Grade 8 to Grade 9, etc.). Teachers are free to get together of their own volition to deal with grade transitions. What is being struck is principal-mandated meetings.

-NOT complete end-of-year OSR activities including filing, sorting and completion of French Cards;

-NOT participate in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities on the end-of-the-year PA Day. Instead, teachers and OTs WILL use this time for their own self-directed activities within the classroom/school;

-NOT participate in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities on the start-of-the-year PA day. Instead, teachers and OTs WILL use this time for their own self-directed activities within the classroom/school;

-NOT book any field trips for the 2015-16 instructional year.