The Near North Teachers’ Local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario got some provincial support today on the picket line as Karen Campbell, ETFO Vice President, visited the teachers who are staging another day or rotating strikes which began a few weeks ago.
See: ETFO Provincial First Vice-President to join picket at Fedeli's office Tuesday
"We have had no contact with the mediator so there are no talks scheduled, no known dates to bargain, so right now we are prepared to bargain, we want to get a fair deal for our members," said Campbell.
"Our members want to be in the classroom, students want to be in the class and we want to be there to continue to deliver quality public education that our members do."
Campbell believes the government is not interested in making a deal.
"We were close the last time we were at the negotiating table and the government tabled some language which would not open up an avenue for discussions so our members are quite frustrated and they want this government to take this seriously," she said.
Rob Hammond, ETFO Local Near North Teachers Local President, admits the rotating strikes are becoming frustrating for many members.
"Our members are concerned, they are losing pay and then you hear the government say 'it's all about salaries,' and we are being greedy and that is not the case," he said outside MPP Vic Fedeli's office Tuesday.
"We would not be out here walking the line but they are more committed to a quality education for all of our students."
Fedeli released another statement from the province this afternoon.
“Our government has put forward reasonable proposals at the negotiating table, including a commitment to maintaining full-day kindergarten, and it is deeply disappointing parents are still seeing repeated escalation at the expense of our students to advance higher compensation, including more generous benefit plans," said Fedeli.
"We firmly believe students should be in class, and we continue to stand ready to negotiate and reach a deal Ontario students deserve.”
Hammond says they are getting tired of Fedeli's comments.
"It is difficult on kids and their routines, we understand that unfortunately, the government has put us in this situation," said Hammond.
"Listening to Vic Fedeli's comments all he is doing is spouting the Tory spin that it is all about salary and he is lying okay. He did that back when we had our layoffs in the spring and here we are now in the winter and he is doing the same thing."
ETFO teachers in the Near North will continue their rotating strike this Friday with an event planned for that day.
