On January 9, Ontario’s Minister for Education, Stephen Lecce, issued the following statements:
Talks with Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association adjourned
The Minister’s statement in response to the mediator’s decision to adjourn talks with Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) said, “Union-led escalation to a partial withdrawal of services, including targeting EQAO testing and report cards, hurts our children the most. Parents are justifiably frustrated that teacher unions escalate every few years. That is why we are calling on the union to cease from escalating, and focus on reaching a deal that provides stability for our students.”
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
In response to what is described as heightened continued Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) escalation, the Minister’s statement said: “Families face union escalation far too often. It’s time for union leaders to end the games and the cyclical experience of escalation that hurts Ontario students. Union leaders promised that their escalation would not impact students and their learning. Regrettably, they have again broken that promise, however we will uphold our commitment to parents, to stay at the bargaining table and work as hard as it takes to reach a deal, that keeps students in class.
“We have delivered a ratified deal, and most recently a tentative deal, with education unions to date, and we are working to deliver further agreements that achieve our priority of keeping students in class.”
Adamo,A. (2020,Jan.9) Minister of Education on Mediator Adjourning Talks with OECTA [news release]
Adamo,A. (2020,Jan.9) Minister of Education on Further ETFO Escalation [news release]
photo NCI on unsplash
