ETFO Bluewater, James Bay Teachers and Occasional Teachers Begin Work-To-Rule Today

TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - ETFO Bluewater and James Bay locals have received no board reports through the conciliator appointed by the Ministry of Labour to resolve their bargaining impasse with their respective school boards. As a result, these locals have begun work-to-rule as of December 6, 2012.

"Bill 115 has brought the bargaining process of these two locals to a standstill. It is unfortunate that teachers and occasional teachers from these locals will withdraw from all administrative activities while continuing to teach students," said Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

Local bargaining stalled following the passage in September of Bill 115, which has imposed drastic cuts to ETFO members' collective agreements and attacked their democratic rights.

During votes taken earlier this fall, both Bluewater and James Bay locals received overwhelming mandates for strike action from their members. The Ontario Labour Relations Act requires that a strike mandate and a no board report must be received, and 16 days must pass following the receipt of the no board report, before legal strike action can occur. 

Fast Facts:

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is the professional and protective organization representing over 76,000 teachers, occasional teachers, and education professionals employed in the public elementary schools of Ontario.

ETFO Bluewater Teacher Local represents 687 elementary teachers employed by Bluewater District School Board. ETFO Bluewater Occasional Teacher Local represents 296 Occasional Teachers.

ETFO James Bay Teacher Local represents 41 Teachers and 6 Occasional Teachers employed by the James Bay District School Board.

Collective agreements for all ETFO locals expired on August 31, 2012.  Since then, ETFO members have been working without collective agreements in place.

SOURCE: Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Nancy Lawler, Bluewater Teacher Local President- 519-373-9636, [email protected] 
Marcia Shimoda, Bluewater Occasional Teacher Local- 519-708-1111, [email protected]
Jennifer Knight, James Bay Teacher Local- 705-658-2284, [email protected]