ETFO members vote to ratify deal with province

TORONTO - The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has ratified central agreements with the province of Ontario.

ETFO officials announced on April 28 that members had voted 97% in favour of the teacher/occasional teacher deal and 94% in favour of the education worker agreement.

“Our goal was to defend public education and the working and learning conditions that have made Ontario’s education system one of the best in the world,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

“While these negotiations were prolonged and difficult, our educators – with the support from parents and other community members – stood firm in the face of planned government cuts to education.”

ETFO officials say highlights of the agreements include:

- a Supports for Students Fund that preserves 100% of special education and priority funding negotiated in 2017:

- preserved Kindergarten model, with its teacher/designated early childhood educator team;

- no class size increases;

- withdrawal of proposed government funding cuts of $150 million; and

- increased professional development/learning funds for education workers.

Education minister  Stephen Lecce congratulated the ETFO, noting the government’s goal has always been to reach “good deals” that “advance the priorities of students and parents.”

“We now have tentative central agreements with everyone and have delivered five ratified deals to date,” stated Lecce.

ETFO locals will now work with their respective school boards to negotiate local collective agreements.