Ontario’s Teachers To Vote on Possible Strike Soon

Published September 11, 2019 at 5:57 pm

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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 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.

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:

However, some are also taking the chance to critize the organization online:

Negotiations are planned to take place through September.

What are your thoughts on a possible teacher’s strike?

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