The union representing public elementary teachers will meet with a Ministry of Labour conciliator today (Monday) in hopes of avoiding strike action.
Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario President Sam Hammond says members have voted 98% in favour of a strike to back contract demands.
Hammond says the province needs to get serious and focus on the issues of concern.
He notes “But it seems that only teachers and education professionals, not this government, are concerned with the quality of publicly funded public education that our kids receive in classrooms.”
Hammond says the meeting will determine next steps in their contract negotiations, adding they are not pushing for a work stoppage.
ETFO Keewatin-Patricia Local Teacher President Kimberley Douglas says outstanding issues include class sizes, the current Kindergarten model, fair and transparent hiring for new members and support for special needs students.”
Douglas adds local teachers are really feeling the pinch from the Ford government.
She stresses salaries aren’t the issue in this round of bargaining.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce express his disappointment saying the union has taken another escalating step towards a strike which will hurt our kids.
