Wow, it is about money

[Rugger]

Somebody's telling a mistruth... I hate political lingo and can't stand that the phrase "has not formally tabled any salary position at the central bargaining table" is used over and over again.

In the end no one will admit to lying and it will be attributed to "creative accounting" I really don't understand why this has to be such a long and drawn out process. The contract went out almost a year ago and you have to figure that some kind of bargaining had to start before that. I hate to think how many tax dollars have been flushed strictly on the, largely useless, "negotiations".

What the ETFO has to say about the $$$ issue:
From: http://www.etfo.ca/MediaRoom/MediaRe...onditions.aspx

ETFO has tabled no formal salary position; focus is on student learning conditionsJune 16, 2015
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has not formally tabled any salary position at the central bargaining table with the government and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). Instead, it agreed only to talk about non-monetary issues that have an impact on student learning.
"OPSBA’s release regarding our supposed monetary demands is a tactic to deflect the pressure its school boards are currently facing to produce report cards, a situation some brought on themselves by refusing to release the marks submitted by teachers," said ETFO President Sam Hammond.
"I have said all along that the current discussions are not about money. ETFO has not tabled a formal monetary position at the central bargaining table. Instead we have focused on non-monetary issues such as class size, fair and transparent hiring practices, teacher professionalism and other issues."
ETFO has tabled a number of issues related to student learning conditions including:

• additional support for children with special needs;
• streamlining and consolidating numerous Ministry initiatives that are currently unfocussed and do not contribute to student achievement;
• respecting teachers’ professional judgment in using assessment and diagnostic testing in the classroom.

"Instead of trying to shame and blame teachers, we need OPSBA to put their energies into reaching a fair and reasonable collective agreement. If they can’t or won’t, then the Liberal government should intervene rapidly to restore stability in the education system."
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.

[sawbill]

I've always said that no matter what the union executive or members say, It's Aways About the Money!

[JBen]

Yep.
Some ( read Unions and the entitled in PS)

Really have
no clue
no basis in reality
no appreciation for those who work hard, so they don't have to. Aka the "common man", the peons

no matter how it's sliced or diced, whether true or not.
In plain English relative to the peons who can only dream about retirement, work hard, pay taxes, have kids and bills and rising taxes, rising hydro....They live like kings.

And if they had any morals, conscious at all. This "strike" this latest gun to the head wouldn't even be.
Theyd be doing their jobs and thankful, they have it so good relative to near everyone else who don't have security, are feeling lay-offs and downsizing, cutbacks and belt tightening.....and more.

[yellow dog]

It's always been this way with the teachers and I cannot see it changing anytime soon. My brother worked for the board of education for 37 years and he always pointed out to the teachers what they created was the biggest scam going. He did however mention from time to time that a teacher with a conscious and morals was very appreciative for their job. But unfortunately when the chips were down and the teachers needed support things would change due to the fact that they if they didn't he or she would be ostracized.

[Hunter John]

I appreciate the teachers and the job they do and I believe many of them are in it for the right reasons but this system is broken and I don't see it getting fixed until it crashes.

[MarkB]

Well, when teachers aren't giving out report cards ... and parents are pretty pissed off now ... I'd say the system is crashing.

[DGearyFTE]

Another part of the story... or at least some different input and aspects

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/17...ors_picks=true

[last5oh_302]

I'm certainly not looking for any sympathy but to put things into perspective, I'm in the OPS and I haven't seen a raise, or even a cost of living hike in 5 years (although the higher ups always seem to get substantial raises). At this point OPSEU, or most of it, is working without a contract. At BEST, we are hoping to maintain the benefits we have now. The way Wynne is spending I don't anticipate a raise or cost of living increase for another 4 years.
When we used to get raises they were around 1 - 1.5%.

[Fishy Wishy]

I'm certainly not looking for any sympathy but to put things into perspective, I'm in the OPS and I haven't seen a raise, or even a cost of living hike in 5 years (although the higher ups always seem to get substantial raises). At this point OPSEU, or most of it, is working without a contract. At BEST, we are hoping to maintain the benefits we have now. The way Wynne is spending I don't anticipate a raise or cost of living increase for another 4 years.
When we used to get raises they were around 1 - 1.5%.

And I'm in private sector. Last raise I got was 6 years ago...and that was because I was leaving otherwise.

Teachers I believe many go into it for the cause...stay in it for the pay, benefits, pension and summers on the dock.

[seabast]

I hate to say it but if you have the power to get what you want, take advantage of it because everybody would and everybody does.....
Personally, I make sure to have no personal relation with teachers, that's my own revolution.