Last Tuesday, ETFO suspended the advice regarding participation in voluntary/extracurricular activities by members based on confidence that ongoing dialogue with the government and representatives from school boards would achieve concrete results on issues of concern to members.  

 

All discussions with government have been focused on finding solutions that can be achieved without new money and within the Ministry's funding envelope.  ETFO is pleased to report that, while the details have yet to be finalized, understandings have been reached regarding the following issues:

 

Maternity Leave 

• Eligibility for teachers, LTOs and full-time non-teaching members.  
• Improvement of benefit - 100% salary for 8 weeks, less EI benefits.  
• Receipt of benefit over the calendar year - 12 month period.  
• June 1, 2013 implementation.
• Superior benefits protected. 

 

Sick Leave  

• There will be no adjudication as set out in Regulation. With respect to the determination of eligibility for sick leave, collective agreement provisions and practices in effect at August 31, 2012, continue.
• References to 66 2/3% in Regulation and in the sick leave plan will be removed.
• Use of sick days as per 2008 Collective Agreement and practice.
• Extended LTD waiting period beyond 120 days will be covered.  

Gratuity 

• Increase to compensation to non-vested members for unused sick days.

Workload Study

• A study to review current and planned educational initiatives and student assessment at the provincial and school board level with a view to clearly focusing such initiatives and assessments on student achievement, teacher workload, and teacher professionalism.

Job Security 

• Job security clause for non-teacher members.

Voluntary/Extra-Curricular Activities

• ETFO will notify members that any advice to withdraw participation in voluntary/extra-curricular activities is suspended (completed March 26). Any decision to participate in voluntary/extra-curricular activities is at the discretion of the member.

These understandings were discussed with ETFO local presidents at a meeting in Toronto earlier today.

 

Based on the success of our meetings to date, as well as the good faith demonstrated by the government throughout these discussions, we are confident that ongoing dialogue will result in a full agreement being reached.

 

It is important to emphasize that an all-member vote will be conducted upon conclusion of any agreement reached with the government.  ETFO is a democratic organization and, as such, it is ETFO members who will determine whether an agreement reached with the provincial government is acceptable.