KENORA – It is going to be a shorter week for students in Kenora. Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario are taking the day for job action. “There are two solutions to the chaos that the Minister of Education has created,” said Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. “Along with repealing Bill 115, the Minister needs to step aside and give locals the latitude to have concrete and respectful discussions with all options on the table, in order to reach collective agreements.”
Keewatin-Patricia teachers and occasional teachers will stage a one-day strike on Tuesday December 11th as the federation seeks to the government a message that Bill 115 is severely impeding local collective bargaining.
“Bill 115’s rigid parameters have made local negotiations extremely difficult and our members are very frustrated with this government,” said Anne Saltel, President of Keewatin-Patricia Teacher Local. “It is unfortunate that the Minister has forced us into a strike by taking away local autonomy.”
“Our members recognize that they need to stand firm and stand up for their democratic rights, regardless of how difficult or inconvenient that may be,” added Robert Calder, President of Keewatin-Patricia Occasional Teacher Local.
