CBC News
Posted: Dec 21, 2012 4:21 PM ET
Last Updated: Dec 21, 2012 4:18 PM ET
Ontario's elementary school teachers have promised an end to one day work disruptions — if the government backs off on its promise to use the legislative powers of Bill 115.
"I think it puts the government in a really interesting position," said Lisa Hamilton, president of the Hamilton arm of the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario. "It's a really good opportunity for the province to change their position on Bill 115."
If unions don't reach deals with school boards by year's end, the province has the power to impose contracts under the controversial bill. Education Minister Laurel Broten hasn't said she will use that power right away.
The governing Liberals will choose a new premier at a leadership convention set for the weekend of Jan. 25-26. Hammond said she's hopeful that a change in the premier's office will help both sides reach a settlement.
Move a change in tactics for the teachers
CBC provincial affairs reporter Mike Crawley said the offer marks a significant change of direction for the teachers.
"Until now the elementary teachers have just been ramping up their pressure tactics," he said Friday. "Teachers are saying 'here's our olive branch.'"
NDP education critic Peter Tabuns calls the union's move an important concession.
"This is the first time we've had someone say 'let's get off this road,'" said Tabuns.
There was no immediate response to the union's remarks from the provincial government.
On Friday, Liberal Leadership candidate Eric Hoskins said the government should hold off on imposing a contract in light of the teachers' offer.
"This means that the government should not impose the provisions of Bill 115, and in return our teachers and education workers must refrain from further job actions," he said in a statement. "That is what it will take to reach a negotiated agreement."
Hammond said that should the government continue to push through Bill 115, teachers will respond.
"It depends on what they do," she said. "Our members would continue to be involved in political action."
Hammond said that action could include teachers continuing to withdraw all voluntary activities — such as extracurricular sports and clubs — much like the job action they took this fall.
High school teachers vote for day of protest
Also on Friday, members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation voted in favour of conducting a one-day political protest to show their opposition to Bill 115. No date was announced for the protest.
OSSTF president Ken Coran said the voted is "a clear message that they oppose Bill 115 and they are willing to walk out for one day to show the Liberals and the Conservatives that they will not be intimidated by their cynical agenda to strip us of our democratic rights."
With files from CBC's Mike CrawleyAnda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Ontario elementary school teachers 'extend olive branch' to government
Dengan url
http://hemiltoninfo.blogspot.com/2012/12/ontario-elementary-school-teachers.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Ontario elementary school teachers 'extend olive branch' to government
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Ontario elementary school teachers 'extend olive branch' to government
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar