Ontario’s French-language teachers to begin work-to-rule Thursday

Ontario’s French-language teachers will start a work-to-rule campaign on Thursday, which means all of the major teachers’ unions in the province are now engaged in job actions.

The Association des enseignantes et enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO) made the announcement on Tuesday, and said its members will target administrative duties in what it’s calling Phase 1 of its work to rule.

Union president Remi Sabourin said the main issues in contract talks have been the major education changes the government announced outside of the bargaining process, including increases to class sizes and mandatory e-learning courses.

The union talks with the province will continue this week and that more meetings will be held at the end of the month.

“We are very concerned with what’s happening (w the negotiations). We have not seen anything like this in 20 years” AEFO Pres on status of teacher contracts. All teacher unions are now engaging in job action. #onted #onpoli @CityNews

— Cristina Howorun (@CityCristinaH) January 14, 2020

AEFO is one of many unions currently in tense labour negotiations with the Ontario government.

The union representing high school teachers is planning another one-day strike at some boards, including Durham Region, for Wednesday.

The province’s elementary school teachers are planning rotating strikes starting on Monday, if no progress is made by the province on Friday.

Catholic teachers have announced that it will hold a province-wide walkout next Tuesday.

The Ontario government is calling on all the unions to stop escalating job actions, while the teachers say they need to stand up against what they describe as cuts to the education system.