Elementary school students looking forward to a class trip next year may be out of luck.
The union representing 76,000 elementary teachers in the province has announced teachers will not book field trips for the 2015-16 school year as part of expanded work-to-rule strike action that began on June 1.
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) president Sam Hammond announced the increased “phase 1 strike action” on May 29.
“We are increasing this strike action because of the obstinacy of the government and OPSBA (Ontario Public School Boards’ Association)in addressing real issues that affect teachers and the learning conditions in our schools,” Hammond said in a press release, adding students will still “receive the high quality instruction that our teachers provide.”
Upper Grand ETFO president Gundi Barbour reiterated that sentiment when asked if local students will be impacted.
“Not at all,” she replied, noting class trips this year will not be affected.
June 1 actions, described by the ETFO as “administrative in nature,” include:
– a continuation of the action announced on May 11;
– refusing to complete any paperwork to the ministry for special grants or funding (excluding those for special needs students);
– not preparing Grade 8 to 9 transition reports and not participating in any grade-to-grade transition meetings;
– not participating in any in-school meetings or professional learning activities during start- and end-of-the-year professional activity (PA) days;
– refusing to complete year-end Ontario Student Record (OSR) activities, including filing, sorting and completion of French cards; and
– refusing to book any field trips for 2015-16.
The teachers’ contract expired in August and after eight months of failed negotiations, the ETFO began administrative work-to-rule job action on May 11, including the refusal to complete standardized tests, attend professional development sessions and provide comments on report cards.
ETFO officials say they are taking strike action due to demands from the government that would give school boards latitude to increase class sizes, dictate how teachers spend preparation time and curtail teachers’ ability to determine “how to support student learning.”
“While the government and OPSBA think they can stonewall on these issues … I can tell you that ETFO will continue to pursue and escalate strike actions into the coming school year as necessary,” said Hammond.
Barbour said teachers are eager to get back to negotiations, stating, “As soon as we see some movement we will return to the table.” She added, “The government and the OPSBA need to stop playing games … we need to have some real conversations at the table.”
Education minister Liz Sandals has stated the job action is more the result of the union’s “general desire to have a strike,” as conditions set by the ETFO are “pretty unrealistic.” Sandals did not return a request for comment by the Advertiser’s deadline.
