SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Before the end of the school year, your union is organizing province-wide actions to demonstrate solidarity and build momentum. Together, we must show the government that educators across Ontario are prepared to act for our students and secure improvements for working and learning conditions in the 2026 round of central bargaining. 

Provincially, our next collective action is the Day of Action on Wednesday, April 29. This is a simple but powerful way to showcase ETFO’s strength and raise awareness about the urgent need for increased investment in public education to support student resources and smaller class sizes.  

Action

Let’s button up!  

We need your support to activate your workplace for the Day of Action, with every member wearing a Smaller Classes, Big Difference button/sticker and red clothing on April 29.  Be sure to include DECE, ESP, PSPs and OT members at your workplace.

By wearing a smaller classes, BIG DIFFERENCE button or sticker on the same day and posting on social media, members, education workers, parents, and community allies create a visual message that emphasizes the urgent need for investment in our schools.  


Before the Day of Action
  1. Organize a workplace meeting to distribute buttons and stickers to members in advance of April 29. It is important to provide clear instructions that they should not be worn until the Day of Action.
  2. Set and share a plan for a meeting point/walk-in or a time and location for a group photo on the Day of Action.
  3. At the meeting, show the posters included in the March Stewards Mailing to help members understand the messaging and issues we are focusing on.
  4. In the lead-up to the Day of Action, remind members about the date and to wear red.
  5. Speak with other education workers (non-administration) in the workplace and encourage them to participate by wearing red clothing or an ETFO button/sticker.
On the Day of Action
  1. Ensure that all members of your workplace have a button or sticker to wear on April 29.
  2. Arrange a meet-up to take a group photo during a break or outside of the workday.
  3. Write a message with members to explain what “investing in public schools means” or what “smaller classes mean” on the blank posters provided.
  4. Take a group photo during a break or before/after school with at least one of the posters. (Students and school name should not be visible.)
  5. Share photos on social media, tag @ETFOeducators, and include #BigDifference.
  6. Send photos to communications@etfo.org, include your name and ETFO Local
Contact your Released Officer to arrange for them to come to your school to support your staff on the 29th!
Day of Action – Speaking Points

Need help figuring out how to start the conversation about Smaller Classes, Big Difference? Use these Speaking Points to Encourage Participation.

Why a Day of Action?

By wearing a smaller classes, BIG DIFFERENCE button or sticker on the same day, members, parents, and community allies send a visible, united message that highlights the urgent need for government investment in education.

This collective, province-wide action aims to spark conversations, raise awareness, and demonstrate that increased funding for public education and smaller class sizes are shared priorities.

NOTE: Buttons and stickers were distributed at the Steward Plus One Meeting. If your workplace did not receive the smaller classes BIG DIFFERENCE buttons/stickers, please contact your local ASAP!

Spread the Word!

Share a message with members in your workplace and online using our shareable image.
Ask members to save the date of Wednesday, April 29, for the province-wide Day of Action.
Download the Day of Action shareables from the Stewards Resource section on members.etfo.ca.

New Know Your Rights Resource – PowerPoint

To help you inform members about their rights to participate in union actions in the workplace, we have created a handy slide deck, titled “Your Rights at Work PowerPoint 2026.”

This resource provides an overview of roles, rights, and professional responsibilities. Every member should be familiar with this information. Access the PowerPoint in the Stewards Resources section under the Workplace Rights tab.

If you are logged in to the member site, visit workplace rights.

REMEMBER: Locally, in conjunction with OSSTF and OCEOTA, we’re increasing our visibility by wearing red to ed every Friday starting March 27th. If you’re able to take photos of your actions Friday actions, please send to office@ocetfo.org.