Class continues as job action begins

It’s more or less class as usual for public elementary students as their teachers begin a work to rule campaign today.

But teachers will not be doing anything to support the provincial grade 3 and 6 tests that are supposed to start soon, nor attend meetings or work on report card comments.

But unlike the experience of students in past bargaining rounds, extra-curricular activities are continuing, at least for now.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is calling it phase one of a job action that could eventually lead to a full walkout if the government doesn’t back down on cost-cutting measures.

The union says wages are not their biggest concern in this round of bargaining.   Teachers say the government is trying to cut costs by increasing class sizes and telling teachers how to use their preparation time.  Teachers can make up to $95,000 a year in Ontario.

High school teachers in Peel, Durham and the Sudbury area remain on picket lines, and Catholic school teachers will be in a legal strike position before the end of the school year.