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Government Discussions: Update

Collin — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:45:16 +0000

ETFO continues to be engaged in provincial discussions with the government.

While the tone and nature of our discussions remain positive and respectful, it is clear that more time is required to resolve key issues of concern for our members. ETFO remains committed to working through this process with the government and is optimistic that consensus can be achieved.

ETFO would like to thank members for their patience during the course of these discussions with the government.

News release: ETFO will adhere to interim OLRB ruling

Collin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:54:46 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2013

(TORONTO, ON) – The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will abide by today’s decision of the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
The OLRB decision was issued after the Trillium Lakelands and Upper Canada District School Boards lodged a labour relations complaint in January regarding advice ETFO issued to members about voluntary services.

The OLRB decision confirms, as ETFO had asserted during the hearing, that the union’s advice to members about withdrawing voluntary services was not a “directive”.

The OLRB’s interim decision states that the concerted withdrawal of voluntary services during the term of the collective agreement falls within the definition of strike. However, this is subject to a decision by the OLRB on charter issues related to the definition which is still outstanding.

”This ruling reinforces the position of ETFO that individual members have the right to make personal decisions about whether or not to participate in voluntary/extracurricular activities. It also makes clear that school boards cannot compel their employees to perform voluntary services or discipline them for not doing so,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

“You can’t legislate goodwill. There is no other profession where people are expected to perform hours and hours of voluntary service each week, and then are castigated for making personal decisions to put their principles, their families, and their own welfare first,” added Hammond.

“ETFO remains committed to working with the government to find meaningful ways to address the current issues facing the education sector and bring peace and stability back to our schools.”

Notice to ETFO members

Collin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:15:07 +0000

On Thursday April 11, 2013, Bernard Fishbein, Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, issued an interim decision regarding the complaints launched by Trillium Lakelands District School Board and Upper Canada District School Board against ETFO.

The interim decision issued a direction to ETFO to post a Notice to Employees on all relevant bulletin boards of the applicants’ schools as well as on ETFO’s website. Follow this link for the interim decision.

Update: Discussions Between ETFO and Government Achieve Concrete Results

Collin — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:05:55 +0000

Last Tuesday, ETFO suspended the advice regarding participation in voluntary/extracurricular activities by members based on confidence that ongoing dialogue with the government and representatives from school boards would achieve concrete results on issues of concern to members.

All discussions with government have been focused on finding solutions that can be achieved without new money and within the Ministry’s funding envelope. ETFO is pleased to report that, while the details have yet to be finalized, understandings have been reached regarding the following issues:

Maternity Leave

Eligibility for teachers, LTOs and full-time non-teaching members.
Improvement of benefit – 100% salary for 8 weeks, less EI benefits.
Receipt of benefit over the calendar year – 12 month period.
June 1, 2013 implementation.
Superior benefits protected.

Sick Leave

There will be no adjudication as set out in Regulation. With respect to the determination of eligibility for sick leave, collective agreement provisions and practices in effect at August 31, 2012, continue.
References to 66 2/3% in Regulation and in the sick leave plan will be removed.
Use of sick days as per 2008 Collective Agreement and practice.
Extended LTD waiting period beyond 120 days will be covered.

Gratuity

Increase to compensation to non-vested members for unused sick days.

Workload study

A study to review current and planned educational initiatives and student assessment at the provincial and school board level with a view to clearly focusing such initiatives and assessments on student achievement, teacher workload, and teacher professionalism.

Job Security

Job security clause for non-teacher members.

Voluntary / Extra-Curricular Activities

ETFO will notify members that any advice to withdraw participation in voluntary / extra-curricular activities is suspended. (Completed Mar. 26.) Any decision to participate in voluntary / extra-curricular activities is at the discretion of the member.

These understandings were discussed with ETFO local presidents at a meeting in Toronto earlier today.

Based on the success of our meetings to date, as well as the good faith demonstrated by the government throughout these discussions, we are confident that ongoing dialogue will result in a full agreement being reached.

It is important to emphasize that an all-member vote will be conducted upon conclusion of any agreement reached with the government. ETFO is a democratic organization and, as such, it is ETFO members who will determine whether an agreement reached with the provincial government is acceptable.

Media Release: ETFO Suspends Advice Regarding Participation in Voluntary/Extra-Curricular Activities

Steve — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 03:50:20 +0000

ETFO is suspending the advice to members regarding their participation in voluntary/extra-curricular activities in light of progress made during discussions with the provincial government.

“ETFO and the government have been involved in meaningful discussions since February,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond. “Talks are continuing, and we are now confident that the government has demonstrated a commitment to dealing with concrete items of importance to our members.”

An all-member vote will be conducted upon conclusion of any agreement reached with the government. “ETFO is a democratic organization and, ultimately, it is the membership that will determine whether an agreement is acceptable,” said Hammond.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

Message to ETFO Members from President Sam Hammond

Steve — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:21:00 +0000

Colleagues,

As you know, we have been in discussions with the government since February. These talks will continue. We are now confident that the government has demonstrated a commitment to dealing with concrete items of importance to our members.

In light of the progress made during these discussions and a commitment that talks to address outstanding issues will continue, ETFO is suspending its advice to members regarding voluntary/extracurricular activities.

Members should be aware that any agreement reached by ETFO will be subject to an all-member vote.

Sam Hammond, President
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario

ETFO member supports the federation, along with 92% of colleagues

Jehan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:23:30 +0000

Otto Wevers supports his democratically elected union leadership, as do 92% of ETFO teachers across the province.

“Sticking together is one way to take on a bully,” Wevers writes. “Imposed contracts are bullying tactics.”

To read the full text of the letter on the York Region website, follow this link.

Teachers make own choices on extracurriculars

Jehan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:19:04 +0000

Despite the recent diatribe from Susan Beattie, teachers have always had the option to resume extracurricular activities, writes Richmond Hill teacher Gordon York. Instead, Beattie opted to embarrass her colleagues, her union and herself by publicly challenging the bargaining position of educators and claiming she represented others.

Beattie’s absurd posturing notwithstanding, York states that “I will make my own choice as to when I will resume the multitude of extracurricular activities I have provided (my) students for 20 years.”

To read the full text of the letter on the York Region website, follow this link.

President Hammond responds to letter to the editor

Jehan — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:20:21 +0000

In response to a letter to the editor published in Chatham This Week, President Hammond outlines a number of serious errors made in the original letter:

March 14, 2013

Letter to the Editor
Chatham This Week

Re: Many questions about teacher-government dispute

Unfortunately the letter to the editor concerning the teacher-government dispute contains serious errors.

Teachers are making their own personal decisions as to whether to participate in voluntary/ extracurriculars or not. They are not in a legal strike position when some sanctions do apply if they cross a picket line. Members have rarely, if ever, been fined for such actions when a strike is occurring. Nor are teachers currently working-to-rule. They are carrying out all professional duties and responsibilities required of them under the Education Act to ensure a high quality learning environment and student safety. The responsibility for the current situation rests squarely with the provincial government and only that government can implement the change that will restore peace and stability to our schools.

Like other democratic institutions, union representatives are elected and serve at the will of their members. A vast majority of ETFO members across the province have personally opted to withdraw from voluntary/extracurricular activities as the only way to protest the loss of their democratic rights arising from the imposition of Bill 115. Many continue to urge their union to support these actions.

These are very difficult decisions for teachers. The right to collectively bargain is one of the few democratic processes afforded to working people, and to students who will one day be in the workforce. That teachers and other ETFO members are taking a stand speaks to the seriousness of what’s at stake for democratic rights in Ontario.

Sam Hammond
President
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Toronto

Kids don’t cause burnout: new teacher blog

Jehan — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:45:17 +0000

Even the worst classes can be dealt with by an experienced teacher, writes new blogger poeticdevicesx. But when administrators don’t have your back, burnout is inevitable.

What’s even worse is that every new year, Boards and the Ministry initiate a slew of new buzzwords, initiatives and acronyms, researched by eduPHDs with no practical classroom experience. This makes the job for those who actually educate children increasingly difficult.

To read the full blog by poeticdevicesx, follow this link.