Several information pickets were set up outside local schools and MPP Vic Fedeli’s office today as the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Near North local held a one day strike.

Rob Hammond is president of the Near North Teachers local.

He says there are several key issues including class sizes, special education funding, full day kindergarten but that’s not all.

“There’s an epidemic of violence in the classroom where teachers and EA’s are being assaulted in the classroom. We’re hoping the government will work with us to find a solution to that problem,” he says.

Hammond says they have not discussed salaries and benefits in the talks at this point.

He says work withdrawl is only way they can get the government to listen.

MPP Vic Fedeli has issued a statement about today’s ETFO job action:

“We continue to stand up against the withdrawal of services to Near North students and across our province. Teacher union leaders broke their promise to not adversely impact student learning by withdrawing services for our kids, including EQAO math testing, extracurriculars, and report cards.
We recognize the impact of union escalation on families is real. That’s why our government launched its Support for Parents initiative that puts money directly into the pockets of parents. The immense uptake of our Support for Parents initiative speaks volumes to the level of uncertainty union-led strike action causes.
For decades, families have faced union job action far too often. Students deserve better, and most importantly, our government believes they deserve to be in class. We will continue our work with one focus: landing deals that keep students in class.”

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: ETFO, MPP Vic Fedeli, Rob Hammond