Premier sets deadline in teacher talks

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If the unions representing public elementary teachers and school support staff don’t reach contract agreements by November 1st, school boards could dock members’ pay. Premier Kathleen Wynne issued that deadline Friday October 23rd while announcing the government has set aside dates starting today to continue negotiations.

Premier Wynne says school boards requested consent from the government to begin penalizing workers but she’s hopefull deals can be reached before it gets to that point.

8 days. That’s how long Kathleen Wynne gave education unions still without contracts to reach a deal with school boards and halt work to rule protests. Beyond that, the premier would give boards permission to issue a five day warning to employees that they could have their wages garnished. “I sincerely believe that we can reach agreements. 8 days is a very long time in the world of negotiation.”

Once a contract has expired, the labour relations act allows any negotiating employer to give 5 days notice to change contract terms.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario’s President Sam Hammond says the union’s plans to step up its work to rule campaign on Wednesday will still go ahead while labour talks take place.

Earlier this week, public elementary teachers threatened to stop talking part in voluntary after-school activities if no deal is reached.

“My members aren’t going to respond to threats. We’ve got a commitment to bargain this afternoon. We’re going to be there, we’re going to bargain and hopefully we can get a deal.”

70-thousand public school teachers as well as elementary and secondary school support staff have been without contracts since last year.