Ontario's largest teachers union will hold a strike vote

“The federation will hold an online central strike vote for all 84,000 members between November 9 and 18,” said a memo sent to its members — mostly elementary teachers, but also early childhood educators and other school staff — on Thursday, which was obtained by the Star.

“Other education unions are also planning strike votes this fall.”

All collective agreements in education expired at the end of August. Talks, which began in June, are now in limbo as the province and unions disagree on what should be negotiated at central tables versus local under Ontario’s two-tier bargaining system. 

The unions have said the government wants to add a number of items to central talks that are better left to union locals and individual boards to deal with — including layoff surplus timelines, funding for professional development and new course class sizes.

They’ve asked the labour board to rule — and that decision could take weeks or months. In the meantime, no negotiations are being held.

That means there’s no immediate threat of a work-to-rule or strike. In order to begin job action, there needs to be a strike vote, meaningful negotiations, followed by talks with the help of a conciliator. At that point, if no agreement is reached, a no-board report can be issued that starts a 17-day countdown to legal job action.

“As you know, central bargaining is paused while we wait for a (labour board) decision,” the memo to elementary teachers said. ”… During this pause, ETFO continues to plan for future bargaining sessions” including holding the strike vote, which gives the negotiators added clout at the bargaining table.

In the meantime, the big five education unions have been working together, organizing a day of solidarity this week, and an upcoming rally on Saturday, Oct. 24. 

On Wednesday, all 275,000 teachers and support staff across the province were encouraged to wear red or purple T-shirts and post on social media, with information pickets outside of school hours in some areas.

The Catholic teachers union will hold its strike vote Nov. 12 and 13, and has called it “a crucial tool in the bargaining process.”

Under Ontario’s bargaining system, costly items such as salaries and benefits are discussed among the unions, the province and the association representing directors of education, while more administrative issues are left for union locals and individual boards.

“The majority of the unions have gone to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to determine which issues should be negotiated at the central or local tables,” Emma Testani, Calandra’s press secretary, has previously said. “We respect their right to do so, but this process has delayed the start of bargaining. Once the (labour board) process has concluded, we will be ready and willing to negotiate whenever the unions are ready to begin.”

However, she added, “premature strike threats do not serve the interests of students and do nothing but create unnecessary panic for parents. Our focus is where it should be — getting to the table and reaching a deal that keeps students in the classroom.”