The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have voted in favour of taking strike action, if necessary.
ETFO’s central strike vote results were announced on November 1, 2019.
The results were:
ETFO Teacher/Occasional Teacher Central Strike Vote:
– 98% voted in favour of taking central strike action if necessary to support meaningful bargaining and to reach a fair collective agreement for Teacher and Occasional Teacher members.
ETFO Education Worker Central Strike Vote:
– 98% voted in favour of taking central strike action if necessary to support meaningful central bargaining and to reach a fair collective agreement for ETFO Education Worker members.
“The results of ETFO’s central strike votes convey to all parties that our members are expecting fair deals to be reached at ETFO central tables,” EFTO officials stated.
“But a vote in favour of a strike does not necessarily mean ETFO members will be engaging in job action.”
ETFO officials added: “ETFO remains optimistic we can reach a fair deal at its Teacher/Occasional Teacher and Education Worker Central Tables; central strike votes are an important factor in supporting that goal.”
On November 1, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, issued the following statement in response to ETFO’s strike vote results.
“While our Government has been a reasonable and constructive force at the bargaining table – focused on keeping kids in class – today, ETFO has taken another escalating step towards a strike which will disproportionately hurt our kids,” Lecce stated.
“Strike action caused by unions could mean school closures, disruption, and uncertainty for students and parents.”
Lecce added: “I support a deal, not a strike. Our team remains unequivocal in our determination to land deals with our labour partners as soon as possible to keep our kids in the classroom.”
Talks to reach a collective agreement remain on-going.
