 Keep in touch |
|
|
Elementary teachers threaten job action
March 9, 2005
- Brampton Guardian
Local public school elementary teachers are preparing to take job action in response to stagnant contract negotiations.
Cathy Smith, president of the Peel local for the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (EFTO), said the union is currently discussing what type of job action teachers will take and when the action would begin. Smith noted the union has been in a legal position to take some sort of strike action since March 1.
Last month, Peel District School Board elementary teachers voted to take strike action if negotiations did not progress towards an agreement.
"At this time, the Peel teachers will begin job action in order to demonstrate their resolve in order to address the issues in Peel," Smith said.
The union wants to send a clear message to the school board the unresolved issues on the bargaining table are important to local teachers, Smith explained. More planning time, working conditions and monetary matters remain critical issues that still need to be addressed at the negotiation table, she said.
Smith explained the union, which represents about 5,300 teachers, is still finalizing strike action plans. The impact of actions on students would be considered and an attempt made to minimize the effect on students, according to Smith.
Negotiators for the elementary teachers' union and school board last met Feb. 15. The two sides are scheduled to meet again March 29.
There has been no discussion about salaries according to the two sides. Smith said the union presented a position on monetary issues, but the board has not yet responded.
Marty Fowler, the school board's human resources director, said the board is keeping a close eye on bargaining discussions between the union's provincial arm and the Ministry of Education.
"Peel, like other boards, is waiting to see some of the outcomes of those provincial discussions," said Fowler. "So we're not meeting again until the end of March."
The school board and its more than 2,300 high school teachers are also at the bargaining table. Negotiators last met Feb. 23 and are scheduled to resume talks April 22.
Meanwhile, local teachers were taking part in a union strike vote being conducted yesterday and today.
Contracts for both elementary and secondary school teachers expired at the end of last August.
|
|
|
|
Heart Lake & Brampton
