The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is taking part in a National Day of Action against threats to public education.
The union, and three other major teachers' unions in Ontario, has been trying for months to reach a tentative contract with provincial negotiators. The sticking points remain planned cuts to education funding, support for special needs students in the classroom, and violence at the province's schools.
The union representing public high school teachers, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, also objects to plans by the Ford government to introduce mandatory e-courses. The government plans to sell those courses to other jurisdictions.
"Ontario faces a very serious threat to our world-renowned public education system," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "We have seen the form of charter schools and school voucher programs in the U.S. and Alberta, which have siphoned money from the public system, putting many public schools in jeopardy. Studies have shown that these alternative schools provide few if any benefits beyond what public schools provide."
The Canadian Teachers' Federation organized the National Day of Action.
ETFO members will wear red Friday, display ETFO logos and signs as they enter schools, and use the hashtag "#redfored" in social media.
The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers in the U.S. will provide support on social media.
