Still Some Concern Over Teacher Contracts

Unions representing public school teachers in Ontario say their members want to avoid labour disruptions during contract
talks with the province, but warn that they’ll stand up for their rights.
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario president Sam Hammond says teachers hope things will go smoothly as students return to school, but he says the union will be a “force to be reckoned with” if their rights are attacked during bargaining.
Meanwhile, his counterpart with the high school teachers’ union says that while his members are eager to return to work, a “cloud” is hanging over them as only eight school boards have implemented a new agreement they reached with the province.
Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation president Paul Elliott of Fort Frances says morale will take a hit if the agreement isn’t put into effect at all boards across the province.
(Photo: Paul Elliott)