Public elementary teachers’ union says progress being made toward new deal with province

TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario’s public elementary teachers are close to reaching a new deal with the province, the union said Wednesday.

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario President Sam Hammond said the province is being honest and respectful in talks and progress is being made toward a new deal.

“We’re confident that ongoing dialogue will result at some point in a full agreement being reached,” he said.

Hammond said talks are progressing because respectful conversation has replaced the take-it-or-leave-it approach used under former premier Dalton McGuinty.

“To be honest with you, it’s night and day,” he said.

“That’s happening now at the table.”

ETFO told its members last week that it was OK to return to supervising extracurricular activities, which the union advised teachers to stop last fall to protest Bill 115.

Hammond said the move was worth it.

“You cannot attack democratic rights in this country and simply expect people to stand on the sidelines. So every minute of that, I will say to you, has been worth it,” he said.

“The stand that we have taken and the actions that we have implemented to get us to where we are have all very much been worth it.”

“It’s been difficult for our executive and difficult for our members but we have not wavered and I make no apologies for that.”

Hammond said significant progress has been made on sick leave, maternity leave, the retirement gratuity among other issues without costing the province any more money.

Education Minister Liz Sandals said she is confident that a final agreement will be reached.

“From the beginning of our discussions with our partners we have been clear that anything we agree to must reflect our current fiscal situation and fit within the ministry’s funding envelope,” she said in a statement.

ETFO does not have a finalized deal with the province and it is unclear when that will happen, Hammond said.