High school teachers’ union walks away from bargaining

OSSTF sees clawbacks, but government says the cupboard’s simply bare

The union representing Ontario’s public high school teachers has walked away from provincial bargaining just days before strikes could be called in a number of boards, saying the offer on the table includes an unpaid day off and a slower move up the salary grid.

In a memo to members, the union said it would return when the government and the school boards’ association “are ready to enter serious discussions” and remove contract strips — or clawbacks — from the table.

Education Minister Liz Sandals told reporters Wednesday that the next few days will be crucial, with the ministry hoping the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation returns to talks — but the government will “absolutely not” offer any money because there’s no extra cash in the public purse.

If teachers want raises, they must give up something else in their contract to offset the cost, she said: “We’ve said all along that this is a net zero round of bargaining . . . We’ve said up front it’s going to be a difficult round of negotiations.”

(Teachers’ pay increases are based on their level of education and years of experience as they move up what’s called a “salary grid,” as well through increases to the grid overall. The union memo says the proposal is to add an extra “step” to the grid.)

Sandals said she believes the move at the provincial tables — where the government, the school boards’ associations and the unions are negotiating costly items such as salaries — increases the likelihood high school teachers will walk off the job on Monday in Durham if they don’t have a deal signed with the local school board. The individual deals are bargained by union districts and their school boards on specific local issues.

Dave Barrowclough, president of the OSSTF Durham branch, says the breakdown of provincial talks need not affects the local situation. “We

“I don’t believe you can call it stripping a contract when you are looking to ensure that students are indeed the focus of the relationship between all parties.” MICHAEL BARRETT ONTARIO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

are going to work our best — if we can, we will work around the clock” from Thursday through Sunday.

Michael Barrett, president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, which is also at the provincial bargaining tables, encouraged the OSSTF to come back to the talks, adding that “I don’t believe you can call it stripping a contract when you are looking to ensure that students are indeed the focus of the relationship between all parties.”

Catholic teachers are taking a strike vote starting April 23.