ETFO suspends extra-curricular boycott

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario said it will allow its members to participate in voluntary and extra-curricular activities.

The union said the decision was made in light of progress made during discussions with the provincial government.

“ETFO and the government have been involved in meaningful discussions since February,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond in a press release. “Talks are continuing, and we are now confident that the government has demonstrated a commitment to dealing with concrete items of importance to our members.”

An all-member vote will be conducted upon conclusion of any agreement reached with the government.

“ETFO is a democratic organization and, ultimately, it is the membership that will determine whether an agreement is acceptable,” said Hammond.

ETFO represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

The announcement was good news for Premier Kathleen Wynne.

“I'm happy to learn that the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has suspended their advice to members regarding voluntary extracurricular activities,” Wynne said in a news release. “I hope that elementary school students, teachers and support staff across the province will once again enjoy the activities and programs that mean so much to them.

“Today's news is a great indication of the hard work all parties are putting into the repair of this valued relationship. It shows our willingness to work together, to listen to one another's concerns, and to find common ground on which we can rebuild a foundation of trust and create an effective process going forward.”

The province has immense respect for its educators and recognizes the important role they play in children's lives and in communities across Ontario, she said.

“Of course, we have been clear that this issue needs to be addressed within Ontario's existing fiscal framework,” Wynne said. “But I am confident that our government's commitment to fairness, consistency and respect in our conversations with ETFO and all our partners will continue to result in real work being done for the people of Ontario.”