The union representing Ontario’s public elementary teachers has tabled more than $3.2 billion worth of demands, including a 3 per cent raise each year over three years plus cost of living increases, says the association representing school boards.

“There’s been a lot of misinformation and assertions with the negotiations process, and certainly we felt it was time to ensure the public understood both sides,” said Michael Barrett, president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, of the move to disclose its estimates of a proposal from the 76,000-member Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

However, the union responded by saying it “has not formally tabled any salary position … instead it agreed only to talk about non-monetary issues that have an impact on student learning.”

“I have said all along that the current discussions are not about money,” president Sam Hammond said in a written release. “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” such as more supports for special needs students.

However, Barrett said the $3.2 billion includes the sought-after salary increase, “and it would be all of their demands, which could include things such as an increase in sick days, or in less prep time or reduced class sizes.

“But the bulk of it is certainly the salary (demand).”

Weeks ago, ETFO negotiators walked away from provincial talks, saying they would only return when contract “strips” — or clawbacks — were removed from the table.

At the time, Hammond called the boards’ and government demands “offensive.” They included giving principals control of teachers’ prep time, removing of “class size language” from contracts as well an end to a regulation that forces principals to hire supply teachers among those with the most seniority.

“Solving problems means people have to talk to each other. Once again, we strongly encourage ETFO to return to the table and engage with us in meaningful dialogue about the issues so that we can work toward a negotiated settlement,” said the school boards in a written release issued Tuesday.

When asked if releasing such information could inflame an already tense labour situation, Barrett said “no more than could have already been inflamed with the continued misrepresentation on class size that has dominated the media for the last six weeks — which is a demand from us that doesn’t even exist.”

Barrett said the school boards are seeking “common class size language across the province” that will not affect class sizes in elementary schools.

Hammond accused the boards of trying to shift public attention away from the fact that a number of boards have decided not to send home report card marks, given the work-to-rule by elementary teachers. Teachers have said they will not provide comments, and will submit — but not input — student marks.

Tuesday’s news release from the school boards’ association says that “when negotiations began many months ago, (school boards) and ETFO signed ground rules that prevented either side from bargaining in the media. That is why you have heard very little on the subject from OPSBA . . .

“Increasingly, however, ETFO has taken to the media, including full-page ads, to assert their positions and misrepresent ours. We believe that Ontario parents and students need to know the facts.”

The school boards say despite the union’s statement that the current labour dispute isn’t about money, “ETFO’s initial monetary position is in excess of $3.2 billion. ETFO’s proposal on wages includes a 3 per cent increase each year over 3 years plus a cost of living allowance.”

Barrett said the union’s position has not changed, and noted very little bargaining has taken place provincially.

However, Hammond said that “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.”

Raising the issue

Teacher salary increases over the past decade:

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

2004-05: 2%

2005-06: 2%

2006-07: 2.5%

2007-08: 3%

*2008-09: 3%

*2009-10: 3%

2010-11 3%

2011-12: 3%

2012-13: nil

2013-14: nil

*2014-15: nil

* In 2008-9 and 2009-10, elementary teachers (ETFO) received 2% per cent increases, instead of 3% like all other teacher unions, because of a bargaining dispute with the province. Their pay was boosted to the same level in Sept. 2014.