One of Ontario's "big four" education unions has turned to a conciliator for help in reaching a contract with the province.
The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO) began a three-day session Wednesday with a conciliator appointed by the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The session came after 93 per cent of AEFO members approved a strike mandate.
"This resounding yes vote shows beyond doubt that Franco-Ontarian teachers intend to push back against the government's and CTA's offensives," said AEFO President Anne Vinet-Roy. "We find their proposals unacceptable, as they limit support in the classroom and will worsen the critical teacher shortage. The survival of our French-language education system is at stake, as is the quality of learning offered to students. We cannot accept this."
The AEFO represents about 12,000 elementary and secondary educators at French-language boards in Ontario.
Wages, class support, and staff workload remain the key sticking points.
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce has responded to the strike vote, calling it "disappointing".
"[The AEFO] has rejected every opportunity to sign a deal that provides stability for students and families, including sending outstanding matters to binding interest arbitration," said Lecce, according to The Globe and Mail.
A strike mandate does not mean a walkout is inevitable, but rather a reaction by the union to what they call a slow pace of negotiations. The AEFO has been working without a contract since August 31, 2022.
In September 2003, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) agreed to have unresolved issues handled by an arbitrator, avoiding a walkout. In December, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) ratified a new four-year contract. Both unions, though, met with an arbitrator two weeks ago to work out a wage remedy made necessary by the repeal of Bill 124, which limited public sector employees to a one-per-cent raise per year.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) has also filed for conciliation.
-with files from Maureen Revait