Ontario’s Teachers To Vote on Possible Strike Soon
Published September 11, 2019 at 5:57 pm
Ontario’s teachers are gearing up more than ever for a possible strike.
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President Sam Hammond released a statement on Wednesday, September 11, detailing plans for mass meetings with all 83,000 members to discuss central bargaining issues and conduct a central strike vote.
The @etfopresident released this statement to explain why elementary educators will hold mass meetings with members to discuss bargaining and conduct a province-wide strike vote starting the end of September. READ the #ETFO statement https://t.co/d5sAFrw9IH #onpoli #onted pic.twitter.com/fXRxoRNu3i
— Elementary Educators (@ETFOeducators) September 11, 2019
The statement claims that members will be asked to demonstrate their support for ETFO bargaining priorities.
These priorities include more support for students with special needs, class size and class structure, the protection of Full-Day Kindergarten and fair and transparent hiring practices.
Holding a central strike vote is one part of the legal bargaining process under Ontario labour laws.
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ETFO’s central strike vote will be held at information meetings conducted in the Federation’s 76 locals during late September and October.
“ETFO’s goal is to reach an agreement at the central bargaining table without having to take job action,” said Hammond in the statement. “It is committed to continuing negotiations at the bargaining table until a fair and reasonable collective agreement can be reached for public elementary educators in Ontario.”
Many have taken to Twitter voicing their support for the ETFO:
It's go time pic.twitter.com/ah0me3t5HV
— Kaydiem (@kaydiem_) September 11, 2019
— Kaydiem (@kaydiem_) September 11, 2019
With all due respect to @etfopresident, with this government getting a FAIR agreement without job action would take a miracle. They've already legislated a max pay increase and screwed class sizes. Time to fight.
— Kaydiem (@kaydiem_) September 11, 2019
However, some are also taking the chance to critize the organization online:
This never about the student, but OSSTF and ETFO keeping their benefits!https://t.co/tqsXw4X84C@maritstiles pic.twitter.com/qWHFi4DcYp
— Younger1989 (@paulyoungcpa) September 11, 2019
There he is the cult leader. Retire Sam. You’re really destroying public education. You’re putting children at a disadvantage because of your greed. Your fight had nothing to do with protecting kids but protecting yourself. That’s evil.
— ld (@bchckk) September 11, 2019
Why won't the ETFO address the "Balanced School Day Schedule" and Eating "opportunities".
Children as young as 3 years old are given 20 minutes to eat lunch.
This structure is cruel, and unfair to our children.
Why aren't any of these teachers standing up against THIS?— Erin L. (@GYHOOUA) September 11, 2019
#ETFO #Osstf #Unifor and #Cupe are all part of the #TrudeauLiberals Election Team.
…but they will FAIL.#LiberalsMustGo #TrudeauMustGo #ScheerLandslide— JTB #ChooseScheer (@jtbrazier) September 11, 2019
Negotiations are planned to take place through September.
What are your thoughts on a possible teacher’s strike?