Ontario’s public elementary teachers have voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action, a result their union president called “historic” as he accused the Ford government of making cuts that will impact the quality of education in the province.The government is “refusing to address our concerts” about the need for more supports for students, especially those with special needs, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario president Sam Hammond told a news conference Friday morning.He said that includes a $50-million fund that was a part of teachers’ previous contract that allowed board to hire additional teachers for special education students. Hammond also noted that the government has not committed to maintaining the current staffing model for full-day kindergarten — a full-time teacher and full-time early childhood educator — at the bargaining table. Education Minister Stephen Lecce said “while our government has been a reasonable and constructive force at the bargaining table – focused on keeping kids in class – (on Friday) ETFO has taken another escalating step towards a strike which will disproportionately hurt our kids.”Lecce warned that “strike action caused by unions could mean school closures, disruption, and uncertainty for students and parents. I support a deal, not a strike.”All education contracts expired at the end of August. The province recently reached a deal with support staff, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, after they began a work-to-rule under threat of strike.Although negotiations continue with all teacher unions, the province’s public high school as well as all Catholic teachers are also taking strike votes.The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation has also asked for a no-board report, which when issued begins a 21-day countdown to potential job action, including a strike.ETFO, which has 83,000 members and is ...
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