Tentative deal struck with ETFO education workers: Lecce

Ontario’s Minister of Education Stephen Lecce says a tentative deal has been struck with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) education workers.

ETFO confirmed the deal, saying its 3,500 education workers will now have an opportunity to vote on it.

“For the 80,000 ETFO teachers and occasional teachers, no agreement has been reached and strike votes continue,” ETFO added in a social media post.

Teachers represented by ETFO are voting until Oct. 17 on whether to give their union a strike mandate.

The tentative central agreement reached is for ETFO’s 3,500 education workers, who will have an opportunity to vote on it.

For the 80,000 ETFO teachers and occasional teachers, no agreement has been reached and #onted strike votes continue. https://t.co/NySFdFHbRe #onpoli pic.twitter.com/iHXiVWAe6F

— Elementary Educators (@ETFOeducators) September 22, 2023

Lecce celebrated the tentative deal, which follows an agreement with Ontario public high school teachers to enter arbitration in its talks with the provincial government over a new contract.

“This is the latest in a series of significant agreements that help ensure kids stay in class, learning with their friends and educators, and benefiting from our back to basics focus,” Lecce said in a statement.

Another deal complete – as we work relentlessly to keep kids in class.

See my statement below on the tentative deal reached with ETFO Education Workers. pic.twitter.com/lUW1IYoJlp

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) September 22, 2023

“While we are making progress, we are again urging all remaining teacher unions to come to the table and sign a deal that ensures children benefit from uninterrupted learning for the next three years, with an enhanced focus on strengthening reading, writing, and math skills.”

With files from The Canadian Press