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Teachers could feel Bill's bite Thursday

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TORONTO

Education Minister Laurel Broten is suggesting she won’t flex any Bill 115 muscle until at least Thursday.

“The Putting Students First Act gives government the tools to put in place collective agreements where collective agreements are not reached,” Broten told CP24 Monday. “We don’t want to see automatic pay increases; we don’t want to see more bankable sick days.”

Public elementary and secondary school teachers had until midnight Dec. 31 under Bill 115 to reach agreements that address those government goals, she said.

The legislation gives the minister the power to impose contracts and ban strikes — steps she has yet to take.

“I’m going to have more to say on the 3rd of January,” Broten said.

Sam Hammond, president of the Ontario Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), was unavailable for comment Monday.

ETFO and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) have opposed Bill 115, calling it an attack on their constitutional right to collective bargaining.

While both unions have indicated they are willing to accept a salary freeze, ETFO in particular has balked at the limits placed on negotiations by the provincial government.

ETFO locals conducted a series of one-day strikes across the province prior to Christmas as high school teachers withdrew voluntary activities such as participating in extracurricular clubs.

Ontario PC Education Critic Lisa MacLeod said in a statement that it’s time for the minister to take action.

“As people are celebrating a new year they will be looking towards returning their children to school in January. Unfortunately, many parents and students are anxiously waiting to see if they can expect much of the same in 2013, strikes and no extra-curricular activities,” said MacLeod. “Will the minister take action, end the strikes and impose contracts, or will she let her union friends push her over?”

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) — which represents school support staff — signed a “tentative template agreement” for its members, Broten said Sunday.

“This last-minute agreement demonstrates that it is possible to find solutions when we remain focused on putting students first,” Broten said.

 

 

 

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