Equality for Elementary Teachers Means Closing the Gap (From the President)

As you know ETFO collective agreements expire at the end of August and bargaining for new agreements is underway.

During the last round of negotiations ETFO led the way in forging a precedent setting provincial framework that improved working conditions across the province. For example each teacher collective agreement provided for 200 minutes of preparation time and 80 minutes of supervision time by the end of the collective agreement.

The federation is once again involved in talks at the provincial level. The provincial government is facilitating negotiations between ETFO and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) with the aim of reaching agreement on those collective agreement provisions that have significant costs associated with them and/or have province-wide implications. As was the case in the last round, bargaining will also take place at the local level. It is local bargaining that addresses the issues unique to each school district.

The focus of all our efforts in this round of negotiations is to close the gap in working conditions between teachers in the elementary and secondary panels. You will likely have seen pamphlets that outline our concerns about paid time to complete student assessments; increased support for new parents in the form of salary  top-ups for pregnancy and parental leaves; and the elimination of teaching time for principals and vice-principals. If you have not seen these pamphlets please request one from your school steward. (You can also see them by going to etfo.ca Collectivebargaining>Pamphlets.)

Over the next few months you will receive more information about the federation’s bargaining goals. You will be called to local meetings to receive information and vote on the preliminary submission – the document that outlines the demands for your new collective agreement. At those meetings you will also hear more about the progress of the provincial talks.

The Minister of Education has stated that she is looking for “peace and progress” for this term of government. We share her ideal. Peace and progress are what our students, our members, and our schools deserve. From our perspective, there cannot be peace without progress. That progress must include closing the gap in the respect – and the working conditions that accompany respect – afforded to teachers in the elementary and secondary panels. School boards particularly need to understand that peace and progress requires all teaching employees be treated with the same level of respect.

To make right a century of discrimination in the treatment of elementary students and teachers is a daunting task. I know you believe that your working conditions and the learning conditions of your students are equally as important as those of secondary teachers.

History has taught us that discrimination seldom ends without turmoil. You can expect to be challenged as you stand up for what is right for you and your students. It is our strength and solidarity that will finally close the gap in working conditions for elementary teachers.