After the Near North District School Board experienced job action by Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) members today, the same affected students will be out for a second consecutive day tomorrow.
The Ontario government and ETFO have not met at the bargaining table since three days of talks broke off last Friday.
“It’s deeply disappointing that there is further escalation, in fact, a repeated escalation in Nipissing,” said MPP Vic Fedeli, “it impacts the student learning.”
Fedeli added the strikes are “all about advancing higher compensation and generous benefit plans.”
“Parents deserve predictability and peace of mind over the coming year,” said Fedeli. “I think it’s important that we continue, in good faith, to negotiate. And I call on all parties to work harder to reach a deal. It’s got to support the students.”
Rob Hammond, the President of the Near North Teachers’ ETFO Local recently commented on what his members are fighting for. “We’re addressing class size, that is very important to parents, students and teachers.”
Hammond, who is the parent of a child with special needs says he is also fighting for funding and is “fearful as to what his daughter’s education is going to look like, as well as for parents in the same boat.”
He also wondered when the government would release results from a poll of parents on class sizes “and having fewer adults in contact with a larger number of kids,” adding parents have been supportive of the teachers.