Teachers at French schools will start their work-to-rule campaign this week

TORONTO — The labour dispute between Ontario public school teachers and the province deepened Tuesday after educators in the French system announced they will start a workto-rule campaign this week.

The announcement by the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens means all of the major unions representing the teachers, who have been without a contract since August, are now engaged in job actions.

The French union, AEFO, said Phase 1 of its work-to-rule campaign would start on Thursday and would see members no longer completing some administrative duties.

Union president Remi Sabourin said the main issues in contract talks have been the major education changes Premier Doug Ford’s government announced outside of the bargaining process, including increases to class sizes and mandatory elearning courses.

“AEFO knows that strike action may have an impact on the daily life of students and their families,” he said. “At this point, we cannot agree to participate in the deterioration of the education system, which is still one of the best in the world. The success of our students in nonnegotiable.”

Sabourin said the province’s approach at the bargaining table has been focused on finances, and its bid to cap teacher pay at a one per cent increase with legislation tramples on the right to freely negotiate compensation.

“The Ford government sees education as an expense,” he said.

“AEFO teachers will tell you it’s an investment. Today’s students are the future of Ontario.”

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said Tuesday job actions are hurting students, and adding such moves are cyclical and target governments of every political stripe during contract talks. He called on all of them to continue bargaining and enter into private mediation in an attempt to reach agreements.