English public elementary teachers, including those locally, will be starting work-to-rule strike action on Tuesday, November 26th.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says their members will be withdrawing from Ministry and school board administrative activities, which will give them more time to focus on working with students.

They say it’s about turning up the heat on the province, and reiterate it does not impact on students.

“We are making this known well in advance to assure parents that this strike action will not affect students, their learning or their safety,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond in a release. “ETFO members will be withdrawing from Ministry and school board administrative activities, which will give them more time to focus on working with students.”

“Our goal is to turn up the heat on Premier Ford and his education minister, Stephen Lecce.” Hammond added.  “It’s critical that they finally come to contract talks prepared to address the real issues of concern: more supports for students with special needs, the protection of Ontario’s Kindergarten program and critical issues like addressing violence in schools.”

 

According to the etfocb.ca website on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, all ETFO members are asked to participate in a Solidarity Action by:

  • meeting together outside the main entrance of their workplace and entering the workplace together 15 minutes before the start of the instructional day.

Effective Tuesday, November 26, 2019, ETFO members will:

  • NOT participate in any school board or Ministry of Education professional learning offered outside of the instructional day (including online or face-to-face professional learning);
  • NOT participate in activities related to the Fundamentals of Math Strategy (except as referenced above);
  • NOT participate in any Ministry of Education online training or webinars;
  • NOT participate in any EQAO-related activities;
  • NOT participate in any school board or Ministry of Education professional learning offered outside of the instructional day (including online or face-to-face professional learning);
  • NOT participate in activities related to the Fundamentals of Math Strategy (except as referenced above);
  • NOT participate in any Ministry of Education online training or webinars;
  • NOT participate in any EQAO-related activities;
  • NOT participate in any way in the development of the Math Proficiency Test for faculty of education students;
  • NOT complete any surveys/data collection activities (except for what ETFO members deem is necessary for their own reporting requirements, as per PPM 155);
  • NOT attend meetings (online or face-to-face) with Ministry of Education Achievement Officers;
  • NOT participate in school board activities on Professional Activity (PA) Days – ETFO members will work in their assigned worksites on their own self-directed activities;
  • NOT attend staff/division/grade team meetings;
  • NOT undertake the role of ‘Teacher in Charge’ (unless remuneration is specifically provided for this role in the local collective agreement);
  • NOT participate in school board/school improvement planning activities (BIPSA or SIPSA);
  • NOT respond to electronic communications from the school administrator/direct supervisor for non-school-based staff, outside of the instructional day (unless for reasons of personal/student safety, an OT accepting work, or support for students with special needs);
  • NOT undertake the role of divisional chair/team lead (unless remuneration is specifically provided for this role in the local collective agreement);
  • NOT respond to electronic communications from the school administrator/direct supervisor for non-school-based staff, outside of the instructional day (unless for reasons of personal/student safety, an OT accepting work, or support for students with special needs);
  • NOT undertake the role of divisional chair/team lead (unless remuneration is specifically provided for this role in the local collective agreement);
  • NOT participate in any school board committee (with the exception of School Council, staffing committees, labour management committees or health and safety committees);
  • NOT participate on any school board writing team or in school board curriculum/resource development;
  • NOT complete Term 1 Report Cards – teachers WILL provide the school administrator with a class list of marks for the various subjects/strands taught, or one brief comment per frame for the Kindergarten Communication of Learning;
  • NOT undertake the role of report card administrator;
  • NOT file the Progress Report, the Term 1 Report Card or the Kindergarten Communication of Learning.

Effective Tuesday, November 26, 2019, ETFO members will:

  • Continue to focus on and support the learning needs of students;
  • Continue to maintain contact with parents regarding students;
  • Continue to provide scheduled supervisory duties; and
  • Continue to wear red on Fridays (or Thursdays, depending on local practice) in support of public education and participate in collective actions to demonstrate solidarity.

 

(File photo by station staff)