Wynne warns teachers: cut job action or we’ll cut pay

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A frustrated premier Kathleen Wynne is giving teachers’ unions until November 1st to reach a deal.

The premier has issued an ultimatum to the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario and unions representing school support workers: reach a deal in eight days, or risk lost wages if the work-to-rule action continues. ETFO Sam Hammond says his members won’t respond to threats and that the teachers will end extracurricular supervision next Wednesday.

“I am not going to respond, my members are not going to respond to threats. We’ve got a commitment to bargain starting this afternoon. We will be there. We are going to bargain and hopefully we will get a deal. What we have asked for and what we have been trying to get is a fairly respectful negotiated settlement. ”

Earlier this morning Wynne, education minister Liz Sandals and the unions met to discuss the work-to rule campaign and contract talks. After the one hour meeting, Wynne told reporters that any teachers who refuse to perform duties beyond the first of November could face penalties, including a reduced paycheque.

“Schools are increasingly dirty, and activities that are important to students and parents such as completion of report cards are not taking place. We’ve also heard from ETFO that extra-curricular activties will be withdrawn next week, and they have continuously threatened to engage in rotating strikes starting this month.”

“This can not go on. And that is exactly what we said to our education partners this morning. Our children deserve better.”

“We have been and remain committed to a fair bargaining process. But at some point that process must come to a conclusion.”

Wynne calls eight days a long time to negotiate and that they hope to reach a deal. But Hammond says they’re frustrated with the talks and that rotating strikes are their only tactic remaining to pressure the government. However the union is not taking that action yet.