Moving Forward
ETFO leaders and staff have worked hard to secure collective agreements for all 78,000 members. Through it all ETFO members have stood together. Thank you.
Collective Bargaining
“I Stand with My Union”
Participation in political rallies gives ETFO members an important opportunity to support their union’s bargaining position; it gives them a public voice on how contract provisions directly affect classroom working and learning conditions. ETFO members find themselves once again compelled to protest the government and employer stance at the bargaining table.
Working-To-Rule
In September 2014, ETFO began central table discussions with the government and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) to negotiate renewed collective agreements for our teacher and occasional teacher members.
Annual Meeting 2015
A sense of purpose was in the air as over 800 public elementary school teachers and other education professionals gathered for the ETFO 2015 Annual Meeting at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto from August 17 to 20.
Uncertainty and New Beginnings
On Friday, September 11, after just seven days of bargaining, the Ontario Public School Boards Association and government negotiators told the mediator facilitating our discussions they “were done” and wouldn’t negotiate further with ETFO. In effect, they walked away from the table.
Tackling Misconceptions about Ontario Regulation 274/12
Ontario Regulation 274/12 (also called “Regulation 274”) was filed by the provincial government on September 11, 2012 under the Education Act. Regulation 274 establishes consistent and transparent steps all publicly funded school boards in Ontario are required to follow when hiring for long-term occasional (LTO) and new permanent teaching positions.
Job Action for Teachers and OTs (From the President)
As I write this column, central bargaining for teachers and occasional teachers has ceased and ETFO members have begun “Phase 1” of a province-wide, work-to-rule strike action that started on May 11.
Your Federation
Just over 100 delegates and 35 Union School participants attended Representative Council in February. Delegates welcomed guest speaker Cathy Crowe, a Toronto street nurse and advocate for eradicating homelessness.
Navigating Our Way Forward (From the President)
Navigating a path for bargaining under the new two-tiered collective bargaining legislation continues to be an unprecedented voyage requiring time, patience and commitment to our bargaining goals.
Your Federation
More than 185 members attended the October Representative Council, including 23 participants in ETFO’s Leaders for Tomorrow program.