While one-day strikes will go ahead as planned, the union representing public elementary teachers is resuming negotiations with the province.
The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario and negotiators for the Ontario government will return to the bargaining table on Wednesday. The resumption of negotiations was announced after Mediator Denise Small reached out to both sides and asked that they resume talks.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the ETFO said it is "willing and committed to moving forward to resolve this ongoing labour dispute." However, union President Sam Hammond said the positions the teachers have taken on protecting education haven't changed.
"Open exploratory talks with the Ford government’s negotiators must include a mandate to remove further cuts, increase supports for students with special needs, preserve the current Kindergarten model with a teacher and designated early childhood educator, and maintain fair and transparent hiring practices,” Hammond said. “It’s time that the Ford government recognized that our public education system is key to the future of this province’s economy. We must have the tools and supports to prepare students to realize their individual aspirations and productively contribute to the economic and social fabric of this province.”
Public elementary teachers in southwestern Ontario are scheduled to be on picket lines twice next week. A province-wide one-day strike will be held Thursday, February 6. Elementary teachers with the Thames Valley, Avon-Maitland, and Lambton-Kent school boards will also hold a one-day strike on Tuesday, February 4. Elementary teachers with the Greater Essex County Public School Board will hold a one-day strike Wednesday, January 29 and next Friday.
