Ontario elementary teachers to take strike action on May 11

WATCH ABOVE: Premier Wynne promises to “light a fire” under provincial negotiators. Alan Carter reports.

TORONTO – The union representing Ontario’s 73,000 public elementary school teachers and occasional teachers says it will take strike action as early as May 11.

In a statement released Tuesday morning, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario said it provided notice to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) that its members will be taking “central strike action in 32 public school boards” as of next Monday.

According to media reports, a memo was sent out to union members Monday night telling them work-to-rule action is possible after labour negotiations reached an impasse last month.

However, the union says it will not be providing details about the strike action “until all steward meetings called this week to discuss job action have taken place.”

The Peel District School Board issued a media release saying work-to-rule action will take place on Monday with “partial withdrawal of service” and schools will not be closed during the labour dispute.

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario president Sam Hammond confirmed on Twitter Monday evening that robocalls went out to members informing them of the job action.

The union, which applied for conciliation in March, received a ‘no board’ report from the Minister of Labour on April 24.

It’s been three years since the Liberals forced contracts and wage freezes on the teachers through legislation, angering the unions, and the relationship has since slowly improved.

However, the union says the size and makeup of classes is now one of the main stumbling blocks to a negotiated settlement.

The union says central bargaining stalled in February when the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and the Liberal government tabled demands that would strip ETFO members’ collective agreements.

“OPSBA wants the ability to determine how teachers teach,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond. “The person in the education system who knows your child best – your child’s teacher – would no longer be able to develop an instructional plan based on your child’s specific abilities and needs. That doesn’t make any sense when it comes to what’s best for students.”

ETFO members have been without a contract since August 31, 2014.

Speaking to reporters on the potential labour disruptions Tuesday, Premier Kathleen Wynne said her understanding is that some administrative services will be withdrawn.

“I have seen nothing to indicate that kids would be out of school,” said Wynne. “I’m not going to speculate on what may happen on Monday.”

“We need to get those central deals and we’re doing everything in our power to get both side back at the table.”

Wynne also noted there is no new provincial money available to increase wages and benefits, which is making the negotiations challenging.

The central strike action will not involve ETFO’s 3,000 Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE), Education Support Personnel (ESP) and Professional Support Personnel (PSP).

Meanwhile, Ontario high school teachers in Durham, Sudbury and Peel Region are currently on the picket lines due to failed contract talks.

With a file from The Canadian Press