The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has lodged a formal complaint with the province’s labor relations board, alleging that the government violated bargaining principles by issuing new mandates related to reading screenings while contract negotiations are ongoing. The ETFO, currently engaged in talks with the government for a new collective agreement, contends that the government’s memo released on July 28, which mandates elementary school teachers to conduct mandatory early reading screenings twice a year for students in year two of Kindergarten through Grade 2, goes against good faith obligations and breaches the terms of the existing collective agreement.
ETFO President Karen Brown expressed concern that the new policy does not foster meaningful discussions and raises questions about the government’s commitment to bargaining in good faith. The union points out that a statutory freeze is in effect, keeping the terms and conditions of the previous collective agreement intact. According to ETFO, the memo disregards language in the agreement that allows teachers to exercise their professional judgment in implementing reading screenings.
The union acknowledges that reading screenings are regularly conducted in classrooms, but it argues that the new tools outlined in the memo, set to take effect on September 1, lack clarity and training. ETFO emphasizes the importance of appropriate training and support for teachers when implementing new screening tools.
The government’s policy memorandum provides various recommendations to school boards regarding early reading screening, including the timing, frequency, and specific screening tools to be used in Ontario schools. The memo asserts that the new requirements must align with collective agreements, and in case of a conflict, the collective agreement takes precedence.
The Ministry of Education in Ontario stated that the new instructions were developed in consultation with all unions and the education sector, aiming to raise standards and outcomes in reading, writing, and math skills. While the complaint does not halt the ongoing bargaining process, the ETFO expressed frustration and disappointment with the government’s actions, which it sees as a violation of a fundamental principle of collective bargaining. Bargaining meetings are set to continue at the end of the month, but Brown expressed concerns about the progress of the negotiations in light of these developments.