Ontario teachers reach settlement over labour complaint, government to backtrack on mandatory reading screening
The Ontario government will no longer mandate early reading screenings this year after reaching a settlement with two teacher’s unions over a complaint about unfair labour practices.
The complaint was filed to the province’s labour tribunal earlier this month.
In the complaint, the unions argue the government failed to bargain in good faith when they released a memo directing school boards to conduct annual early screenings for all students in Year 2 of Kindergarten through Grade 2.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Teachers’ unions are currently in negotiations with the province over their new contract. They argued that by directing teachers to use the new reading screening tools, the government contravened their existing collective agreement, violated the statutory freeze period during bargaining, and circumvented the bargaining process for the upcoming contracts.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) said they had reached settlements with the government in relation to the complaint, calling it “belated, but welcome.”
As part of the settlement, the use of an "Early Reading Screening Tool" is no longer mandatory for teachers for the 2023-24 school year.
The unions said in their statement that educators will continue to “use their expertise to identify and address students’ unique individual needs.”
“The government also commits to returning to the bargaining table to resolve the issue in good faith. The government will be issuing a memorandum to school boards to advise of the change in direction,” they said.
The Ministry of Education says the decision for mandated early reading screenings was always dependent on the final collective agreement with teachers. In the memo, it says that where there is conflict between the directives outlined and a collective agreement, “the collective agreement prevails.”
"The government remains committed to screening all students between SK and Grade 2 as recommended by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, as we work to improve literacy rates in Ontario,” spokesperson Justin Saunders told CTV News Toronto in a statement.
“We recognize the importance of screening students for reading comprehension and providing teachers the tools they can use to do so, so long as it is compliant with collective agreements, and that remains unchanged following the (Ontario Labour Relations Board).”
Stock photo of a classroom. (skynesher / IStock.com)
ETFO and OECTA have both publicly said they will be holding strike votes in the fall amid stalled negotiations. It’s unclear how impactful this settlement will be in the bargaining process; however the unions have said they hope the Doug Ford government will “learn from this error in judgement and bargain in good faith.”
“Our message to the government is clear: keep bargaining issues at the bargaining table or we will continue to take swift action to protect our members’ bargaining rights and public education. Both of our associations will continue to work toward realizing a fair, negotiated agreement that supports all students, educators, and families.”
The “Early Reading Screening Tool” was first introduced by the government in April legislation meant to modernize Ontario’s education system and boost both math and literacy.
At the time, the government said it was to assist with early identification of students who require further support with reading in the classroom.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Potential tornado 'surreal' for residents who witnessed damaging storm in southern Ontario
Witnessing a potential tornado was 'surreal' for residents who caught a glimpse of the damaging storm in southern Ontario on Wednesday night.
Was this the bug that stung you? Wasp sightings revive murder-hornet concerns; no detections confirmed
As temperatures rise out of a mild El Nino winter, Canada's buggy season is already upon us again, and this year, the bugs are looking especially big.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Adding just 10% ultraprocessed foods to healthy diets may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
Cassie Ventura breaks her silence on 2016 video that showed her being physically assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs
Cassie Ventura has shared a statement expressing her gratitude for the support she has received since CNN's publication of a 2016 surveillance video that showed her being physically assaulted by her then-boyfriend, Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
Bangkok hospital says most seriously injured from turbulence-hit flight need spinal operations
Many of the more seriously injured people who were on the Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence need operations on their spines, a Bangkok hospital said Thursday.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.