Wages not issue in current negotiations
Nov 12, 2008 - 03:19 PM
By Keith Gilligan
DURHAM -- Elementary school teachers want to Close the Gap in its current round of contract negotiations.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) says there's a $711 per student difference in the amount of money received for elementary pupils and high school students.
Closing that gap over the next four years is the union's aim in current contract talks.
The four-year contract for the 73,000 elementary teachers expired at end of August.
"The government is unable or incapable of seeing this issue," David Clegg, the president of the ETFO, said in an interview.
Mr. Clegg was at Deer Creek conference centre in Ajax Tuesday to speak to ETFO members about the contract situation.
Patricia MacNeil, a spokeswoman for the education ministry, said an agreement was reached earlier this year with school boards, teachers' unions and others involved in negotiations that the ministry would act as a facilitator. Through this process, common items would be negotiated, including salary.
Those school boards that signed onto the provincial framework would see salary increases of three per cent a year for four years. Those that haven't agreed to the framework by Nov. 30 will only receive two per cent a year.
There's money involved in the framework that would address issues such as class sizes, and more teachers in Grades 7 and 8, Ms. MacNeil said.
"We've made it very clear if there's any chance for a long term-agreement, a four-year agreement, they have to commit to eliminate the gap in funding. They're not prepared to do that," Mr. Clegg said. "Unfortunately, they've suggested we work to an artificial deadline."
On wages, three per cent a year for four years is "a very reasonable offer," Mr. Clegg said. "Salary isn't the issue. It's not standing in the way of resolving this round of bargaining."
The union recognizes the tough economic times, he said. "There are short-term challenges.
"We're not asking for something not provided at the secondary level," Mr. Clegg said.
The Close the Gap campaign is a province-wide initiative. At the local level, Rachel Gencey, the president of the Durham ETFO local, said issues "aren't hot button issues, but they need to be resolved."
Among those issues are transfer procedures when a teacher moves from one school to the next, and staffing levels.
"We're prepared to sit down," Mr. Clegg said, adding the union recognizes the gap issue can't be resolved in one year. "We're prepared to back-end the contract. It starts with a commitment on their part."
"They're still welcome to come back to the table," Ms. MacNeil said.
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