FROM THE PRESIDENT


this year about their respective commit- ments to public education and to sup- porting educators in the work we do. They acknowledged the damage done to the rela- tionship between teachers and the govern- ment in the wake of Bill 115 and pledged in different ways to rebuilding a strong partnership between government and edu- cation affi liates. The premier told delegates that she and Education Minister Liz Sandals will work toward a stronger education sys- tem and a more respectful bargaining pro- cess no matter what the fi scal situation is. Horwath said the NDP intends to hold the new majority Liberal government account- able for its commitment to education. Kathleen Wynne faced tough questions


TOGETHER I


n August, just over 600 delegates gath- ered in Toronto at ETFO’s 2014 An- nual Meeting to debate resolutions to guide our union and enhance the teaching profession.


As always, it was amazing to watch de-


mocracy at work. ETFO members may not always see issues in the same way, but a strong commitment to democracy and parliamen- tary rules allows for a respectful sharing of views and resolution of differences. These are challenging times for educators, and I am heartened to see how ETFO mem- bers continue to act together in solidarity. Over a few short years, we have faced un-


precedented challenges to collective agree- ments and public education that oblige us to fi nd new ways to resolve issues with edu- cation stakeholders for the benefi t of ETFO members and the students we teach.


6 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2014 CHARTING OUR COURSE In the wake of Bill 115, we achieved a


memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal minority government. We worked closely with other teacher affi liates and CUPE to propose amend- ments for Bill 122 to ensure our new collec- tive bargaining legislation allows for a fair and balanced process and preserves the principles of free collective bargaining. Our contracts expired on August 31, 2014


and we are offi cially into a new regime of bargaining. As we navigate the complexities of central and local bargaining tables under the new legislation, it is imperative that we re- build relationships but remain strong in our resolve to get the best agreements possible for our members ... and we will. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and


Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath brought messages to the annual meeting


from the annual meeting fl oor about the previous and upcoming rounds of bargain- ing. Members justifi ably sent her the mes- sage that the losses represented by the MOU and the removal of free collective bargaining rights under Bill 115 were not acceptable and that ETFO members would continue to de- fend their rights. In early September, ETFO, the OPSBA


(employer bargaining agency) and the gov- ernment had their fi rst meeting to discuss ground rules for the new bargaining pro- cess. On one matter, all parties were very clear – there will be no bargaining in the media. This is essential to ensure the process remains as unbiased as possible. Three ad- ditional meetings were held later in Septem- ber to fi nalize the ground rules and to com- mence discussions about items that should be included at the central table and to defi ne these items. Local leaders attended a meet- ing on September 11 at the ETFO offi ce to receive an update on collective bargaining, the communication strategy and other mo- bilization plans. An article in this issue of Voice out- lines our bargaining priorities and plan for communicating with you at every step of the way. Setting off into uncharted terri- tory is challenging, but acknowledging this reality and hoping that all parties intend to build relationships and respect free collective bargaining will lead us to our ultimate goals – a Memorandum of Settle- ment, provincially, and duly negotiated local agreements that improve the lives of our members.


– Sam Hammond


PHOTO BY KATHRYN GAITENS


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