Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Fédération des enseignantes et des enseignants
de l’élémentaire de l’Ontario
136 Isabella Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 0B5
Telephone: 416-962-3836 Toll-free: 1-888-838-3836
Fax: 416-642-2424
Website: www.etfo.ca

ETFO increases strike action to prod government, OPSBA to address
classroom issues at bargaining table
For Immediate Release – May 29, 2015
Toronto, ON – As a result of the obstinacy of the Liberal government and Ontario Public
School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) in addressing real issues during bargaining, the
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will increase its Phase 1 strike action. ETFO’s
collective agreements have been expired for nine months.
The additional struck work beginning June 1st is administrative in nature and is designed to
have minimal impact on students. Teachers and occasional teachers will further withdraw
from Ministry meetings and workshops as well as mandated meetings with principals.
“All students, including students with special needs, will continue to receive the high quality
instruction that our teachers provide,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond.
“We are increasing this strike action because of the obstinacy of the government and
OPSBA in addressing real issues that affect teachers and the learning conditions in our
schools. That is our priority during this round of bargaining. It’s time the government and
OPSBA stopped playing games and adopted the same priorities.”
OPSBA has tabled demands that would allow increases in class sizes, have teachers’
preparation time directed by others and have their ability to support student learning
compromised.
“We are appalled that Premier Wynne and her government have abandoned their
responsibility to encourage meaningful bargaining at the central bargaining table by
blatantly siding with OPSBA on every one of its objectionable demands,” added Hammond.
“While the government and OPSBA think they can stonewall on these issues until they go
away, I can tell you that ETFO will continue to pursue and escalate strike actions into the
coming school year as necessary.”
“The Education Minister has made matters worse with her disingenuous comments. This
strike action is about teachers’ working conditions and students’ learning conditions, not
money. We are ready to return to the table the moment that the government and OPSBA
remove the offensive strips they have put forward that will have a negative impact on
teacher working conditions and student learning conditions.”
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public
school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.
-30 For more information, contact:
Valerie Dugale, ETFO Media Relations: Cell: 416-948-0195, vdugale@etfo.org
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 What ETFO’s Extended Phase 1 Strike Action Means
As of June 1, 2015, ETFO Teacher and Occasional Teacher members will continue to
withdraw from administrative services as outlined in its release of May 8, 2015.
They will now withdraw from additional administrative services as follows:
NOT

complete any paperwork/application/proposal to the Ministry for special grants or
funding. (NOTE: This does not include funding for special needs students, e.g.,
Special Incidence Portion (SIP), Special Equipment Amount (SEA) claims).

Teachers will continue to complete paperwork or applications to the Ministry
regarding funding for special needs students and will also continue to use Applied
Behavioural Analyses with such students.
NOT

participate in the preparation or completion of Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transition
Reports;

NOT

participate in any grade to grade transition meetings (e.g., SK to Grade 1, Grade 5
to Grade 6, Grade 6 to Grade 7, Grade 8 to Grade 9, etc.).

Teachers are free to get together of their own volition to deal with grade transitions.
What is being struck is principal-mandated meetings.
NOT

complete end-of-year OSR activities including filing, sorting and completion of
French Cards;

NOT

participate in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities on the
end-of-the-year PA Day. Instead, teachers and OTs WILL use this time for their own
self-directed activities within the classroom/school;

NOT

participate in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities on the
start-of-the-year PA day. Instead, teachers and OTs WILL use this time for their own
self-directed activities within the classroom/school;

NOT

book any field trips for the 2015-16 instructional year.