With news that ETFO Provincial has arrived at a tentative Central Agreement with the Ministry and the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA), a successful conclusion to this round of bargaining is within sight.

Please be sure you are subscribed to ETFO’s Bargaining newsletter here: https://www.etfo.ca/etfo-enewsletters

If any OC ETFO/FEEO colleagues are not receiving Local updates from our Office, please advise them to contact cindy.broderick@ocetfo.org to provide their non-OCDSB email address. 

Much more information will follow in the coming days about the Tentative Central Agreement. Members will be given details of the Tentative Agreement and an opportunity to ask questions and vote to ratify. Meanwhile, we are still at the LOCAL Bargaining Table with the OCDSB to fight for the priorities you identified. We have two very important Local Bargaining dates coming up on the 4th and 5th of December, and we are asking every teacher in every school to make a strong show of solidarity to support your Local Bargaining team. 

We are asking for ALL teachers in schools to “Wear Red for Ed” on both the 4th and 5th of December to demonstrate our unity, resolve, and determination to reach a fair LOCAL Collective Agreement that addresses your concerns such as: 

  • Fractured 20-minute timetabling
  • Classroom violence and progressive discipline
  • Staffing
  • Report Card and IEP workload
  • P/T interview and Union PD Day
  • Creed-based Days of Observance
  • Support for 2SLGBTQIA Members
  • Teachers having classrooms
  • …and more 

Make no mistake- your Central Bargaining Team was only able to reach a Tentative Agreement after the powerful symbol of resolve that was provided by the 95% Provincial Strike Vote. We also received a 92.6% LOCAL Strike Vote.

We need a similar symbol of resolve NOW to help us make progress for you at our LOCAL Table – Please encourage your entire Staff to WEAR RED on the 4th and 5th of December. 

Staff photos wearing red should be widely shared via social media (@ocetfo). Be sure not to include photos that show student images, work, or things obviously identified with the OCDSB.

In Solidarity, your Table Team: 

Rebecca, Sue, Stephen, Jennifer, Brian, Soraya and Patrick