Public elementary teachers holding central strike vote

Lambton Kent public elementary teachers will gather Wednesday evening to hold a central strike vote. A confidential members-only meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m. at Hiawatha Horse Park on London Line in Sarnia. Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President Sam Hammond said holding a central strike vote is one part of the legal bargaining process established under Ontario labour laws. "ETFO's goal is to reach an agreement at the central bargaining table without having to take job action," said Hammond in a statement. "We are committed to continuing negotiations until a fair and reasonable collective agreement can be reached that protects and improves the learning and working conditions in public elementary schools in Ontario." At Wednesday's meeting elementary teachers and occasional teachers will discuss the union's bargaining priorities including more support for special needs students, the protection of kindergarten, class size and structure, and fair and transparent hiring practices.