Around 200 members represented by the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) here in Elgin County are spending their day out at the picket lines. The teachers and education workers from schools within the Thames Valley District School Board located in Elgin County are walking up and down Talbot Street as part of rotating strikes being held by the ETFO.
myFM spoke with strike captain and grade 4 teacher at John Wise Public School Brent Kelders, who explains a little bit about what the ETFO is fighting for.
Kelders says the Ontario Government is trying to take as much as they can out of their world class education system in order to save money. He says the members are here to support students and families that will be impacted if changes aren’t made.
Kelder adds that the union is ready and prepared to bargain, however no dates have been set between the ETFO and the Ministry of Education. Ontario’s 4 teachers’ unions are currently pursuing job actions in the ongoing dispute that’s taking place between them and the provincial government.
