TORONTO — Members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario have given their bargaining team approval to call a strike if necessary to get a new collective agreement with the provincial government.
The federation on Wednesday announced the outcome of a series of votes held over the past few weeks by 80,000 public school teachers, occasional teachers, early childhood educators, education support personnel and professional support personnel.
It was an overwhelming 95 per cent in favour.
Union president Karen Brown said this doesn't necessarily mean her members will engage in a work-to-rule campaign or head to the picket line, but proclaimed "This strong strike mandate sends a very clear message to the government. Our members have been working for over a year without a contract, and their patience has run out."
Brown called on the government to "stop stalling and start negotiating seriously on our members' key priorities," which she said include acknowledging a staffing crisis in education, putting a fair compensation offer on the table, and addressing violence in schools.
The two sides continue to negotiate with the assistance of a conciliator appointed by the minister of labour.
