The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario in the Keewatin Patricia School District is now holding confidential members’ meetings and a central strike vote.
Meetings are being held in Red Lake and Pickle Lake today (Wednesday) and members will sit down again tomorrow (Thursday) in Dryden and Kenora.
Elementary teachers and occasional teachers are discussing key issues in a contract dispute with the province including more support for students with special needs, the protection of Kindergarten, class size and class structure as well as fair and transparent hiring practices.
EFTO provincial President Sam Hammond says their goal is to reach an agreement at the bargaining table without having to take job action.
Hammond says “We are committed to continuing negotiations until a fair and reasonable collective agreement can be reached that protects and improves the learning and working conditions in public elementary schools in Ontario.”
Hammond notes holding a strike vote is one part of the legal bargaining process established under Ontario labour laws.
There are two central negotiating tables: one for teachers and occasional teachers and the other for educational workers who include designated early childhood educators, professional support personnel and education support personnel.
