Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker suggests his government continues to make reasonable proposals at the bargaining table, while teachers unions have not made any substantive changes to their original proposals.
He says the province is offering a funded maximum average class size of 23 in secondary school.
He adds they are replacing the previous Local Priorities Fund with a new, student-centric Supports for Students Fund which allow boards more flexibility to address students’ unique learning needs.
"Our proposals include including special education, mental health, and STEM education. We are also keeping our commitment to maintaining full-day kindergarten," said Walker.
Walker claims teachers’ union leaders remain focused on increasing compensation and enhancing their already generous benefits packages.
He urges the unions to stop the disruptive escalation of job actions and return to the table to get a deal that is fair for parents, students, and educators.
“During the negotiation process, the Government tabled proposals with each of the education sector unions, which included substantive moves on lowering class sizes, support for students' unique learning needs, full-day kindergarten, as well as reasonable proposals on merit-based hiring and compensation." he said.
