Ontario’s four major teacher unions say they are filing a formal complaint with the labour relations board over the Ford government’s back-to-school plans.
They allege the school reopening plan violates its own workplace safety laws and “does not take every reasonable precaution to protect workers”.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and the french-language board (AEFO) announced their intention to file the appeals yesterday.
The unions, which represent 190,000 education workers across Ontario, say they are seeking specific standards “around physical distancing, cohorting, ventilation, and transportation”.
Premier Doug Ford says unions “just like to fight” and he’s appealing for their cooperation.
To read the unions full statement, please click here.
Today, @ETFO @OECTAProv @osstf @AEFO_ON_CA announced a formal appeal with the OLRB following the failure of the MoL to adequately respond to requests for appropriate health and safety standards in public schools. https://t.co/R4uKfYBDJK #SafeSeptember #onted #onpoli
— Elementary Educators (@ETFOeducators) August 31, 2020
Together with @AEFO_ON_CA ,@ETFOeducators, and @osstf, we’re taking action by filing #OLRB appeals against the govt due to their failure to meet health and safety obligations for a #SafeSeptember. #onpoli #onted
Read news release: https://t.co/BwXBn7a7fN. pic.twitter.com/KHPxBsiPKV
— Catholic Teachers (@OECTAProv) August 31, 2020
OSSTF/FEESO, @AEFO_ON_CA, @ETFOeducators, + @OECTAProv, "taking legal action as Ford government fails to meet health and safety obligations."#osstf #onted #onpoli pic.twitter.com/E6D6uCAogO
— OSSTF Communications (@osstf) August 31, 2020
Message de Rémi Sabourin, président de l’AEFO #ENSEMBLEPOURAGIR #ONpoli #Onted pic.twitter.com/ZxI2xzlNSX
— AEFO (@AEFO_ON_CA) August 31, 2020