THUNDER BAY – While they have yet to see details of the contract, local elementary teachers are cautiously optimistic a tentative deal reached with the province will bring labour peace.
It was announced on Monday the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario reached an agreement in principle with the Ontario government and Ontario Public School Boards Association, potentially ending a dispute which began to become contentious in the spring and joining the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Federation in settling.
Lakehead Elementary Teachers of Ontario president Mike Judge said the work-to-rule campaign that had been previously implemented has been suspended while the deal is reviewed, meaning teachers will go back to work as normal.
“There is a sense of relief. There is still a sense of apprehension because we’re still getting that information out to them so they want to hear the details. It’s just human nature to want to know those details right away,” Judge said on Tuesday.
“So they’re anxiously waiting.”
All chief negotiators and local presidents are scheduled to meet in Toronto on Wednesday to review the terms of the tentative agreement, which will be followed with the information being communicated to the individual teachers across Ontario.
That will lead to meetings where the members will vote on whether or not to ratify the central deal.
If that central agreement is ratified, the Thunder Bay union will continue their local negotiations with the Lakehead Public School Board. Judge said those talks had been progressing well but had been put on hold until a breakthrough was made at the central table.
But even if the deal marks an end to this labour battle, Judge is adamant the process needs to be changed before the next round.
“A big part of this will be looking back once the dust settles to see where everybody fell down because this can’t be repeated,” Judge said.
“You’re putting people’s lives in a tough spot with their livelihood. Teachers do not like the stress, parents do not like the stress and students do not like the stress. This was not a workable process in my opinion and modifications do need to be made.”
