Franco-Ontarian teachers who are members of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO) will start the second phase of their work-to-rule campaign on Tuesday, January 28.
New restrictions will be added to the tasks targeted in phase 1, which mostly affected administrative duties. The new restrictions have not yet been announced.
"Despite the first phase of work-to-rule, the Employer Bargaining Agency (EBA), acting on behalf of the 12 French-language school boards, continues its attacks on members' rights and what they have gained over the years. And the government is showing no sign of rolling back its cuts affecting students' learning conditions," states Rémi Sabourin, AEFO President.
The next bargaining sessions between AEFO, the government, and the Employer Bargaining Agency (EBA) are planned on January 29 and 30, with a mediator appointed by the Ministry of Labour.
"We cannot tolerate the governments' and the school boards' inertia any longer," says Rémi Sabourin. "At our most recent meeting, last week, negotiations were practically at a standstill. I don't know what overall strategy the school boards and the government have settled on, but choosing to do nothing is absolutely not the best tactic."
AEFO has about 12,000 members and represents French-language elementary and high school teachers in Ontario, from both Catholic and public school boards, as well as professional and support staff working in various French-language workplaces.
The announcement by the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens means all of the major unions representing the province’s teachers, who have been without a contract since August, are now engaged in job actions.
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, in reaction to the announced action said, "Students across the province are continuously being hurt by union-led escalation. The withdrawal of services is impacting our students negatively and causing uncertainty and frustration for parents.
"By withdrawing services, Ontario's students do not get the valuable support they need to be successful in their educational journeys. We continue to call on the teachers' unions to cease escalation, end these strikes, and focus on reaching a deal that keeps our students in the classroom where they belong."
In addition, the Near North District School Board will be the target next Wednesday, January 29. as the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) stages a one-day rotating strike.
