Ontario elementary teachers reach tentative deal with province

Educators represented by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have struck a tentative deal with the provincial government, averting strikes in public elementary schools for the next three years.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the tentative contract on social media Tuesday morning, emphasizing the “back to basics” approach being pushed in education under his leadership.

The deal for the union’s 80,000 teacher and occasional teacher members comes after 14 months of central bargaining.

With the solidarity of our membership and the assistance of the conciliator appointed by the Minister of Labour, ETFO was able to reach a tentative agreement that, we believe, meets the needs of our teacher and occasional teacher members.

More: https://t.co/X42q3z0T1k #onpoli pic.twitter.com/M0TPZHdXW4

— Elementary Educators (@ETFOeducators) November 21, 2023

ETFO says the agreement protects members’ entitlements and addresses the key bargaining goals brought forward in discussions.

READ MORE: ETFO education workers vote in favour of new 4-year contract

“This has been the longest round of central bargaining in ETFO’s history, but we persisted. We remained focused on getting government cuts off the table and on addressing members’ working conditions, which are students’ learning conditions,” says ETFO President Karen Brown.

Details of the deal are expected to be shared with ETFO members this Thursday, with a ratification vote currently in the process of being scheduled.

Proud to deliver another major deal that keeps students in class without interruption for the next three years.

To the remaining teacher unions: stop dragging the puck. Sign a deal that keeps your members and all kids in school. pic.twitter.com/LnmTENDICw

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) November 21, 2023

Education workers, such as early childhood educators and education support personnel, also represented by ETFO, reached a deal in September.

That deal had the union seeking salary increases, the maintenance of funding for current benefit levels, paid professional learning, job security, and a Supports for Students Fund to protect special education roles in school

Minister Lecce repeated his calls for education unions that have yet to strike a deal to expedite the process in a bid to “ensure that every child can learn without the threat of strikes over the next three years.”

READ MORE: Ontario agrees to give some teachers, education workers, retroactive salary bumps