An Open Letter to DECEs
Regarding Your Freedom to Choose Your Union
From
Sam Hammond
ETFO President
At ETFO, we believe in the right of every ECE to have the freedom to choose the union that will best represent your interests in bargaining with your new employer. In good faith, we have shared with you the many benefits of becoming an ETFO member, including the best professional development opportunities of any union and the teamwork arising from having ELP teachers and ECEs in one union.
That is why I am extremely dismayed at the allegations and misleading representations that OSSTF has leveled against ETFO. In meetings, in advertisements, and on its website, OSSTF has conveyed information that is inaccurate and misleading, and cited historical statements by ETFO that have been taken completely out of context. Simply put, I am appalled that OSSTF would launch such a negative and unprofessional campaign instead of assisting you to make one of the most important decisions of your professional life as an ECE.
With regard to OSSTF misrepresentations, let me provide clarity on ETFO and its role in helping to bring about full day learning:
- The Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE) position is brand new. You should have the right to choose which union will represent you and be your bargaining agent once you have been hired by a school board for this new role.
• ETFO and its predecessors have been representing professional educators in the elementary system since 1918. ECEs will work as a cohesive team with ETFO members, who have more experience than any other union when it comes to understanding the issues, concerns, and working conditions in elementary classrooms.
- ETFO believes there should be an ECE in every class. We have never advocated for the removal of ECEs from classrooms of 16 or fewer.
- ETFO will ensure that ECEs have representation on its governing bodies:
• Very small bargaining units will receive direct service from the Provincial Office.
• You will have the opportunity to run for election at both local and provincial levels.
• You will have the same rights as every other ETFO member.
• You will elect ECEs to be your representatives at the local level. As delegates, they will participate in provincial meetings and the election of the provincial Executive every two years. - With regard to pension funds, ETFO currently represents a number of educational workers who belong to OMERS.
- On the matter of Pay Equity, ETFO is a leader in pay equity issues having already negotiated pay equity for all of our members. Should the need arise to negotiate pay equity in a bargaining unit, ETFO Protective Services staff will employ its considerable expertise to achieve successful results.
Finally, I want to tell you why ETFO wasn’t part of the discussion with the government to negotiate ECE wages and benefits. The government unilaterally chose not to invite ETFO to the Provincial Discussion Table (PDT). ETFO filed a complaint with the Labour Relations Board because we believe the government’s refusal to allow ETFO to participate in negotiations interfered with the organizing process.
In response, the government has advised us that as we unionize the DECEs, we will be able to negotiate a PDT on their behalf as well. ETFO will match or exceed the terms already in place. Since benefits and working conditions have not been negotiated with the government they will need to be negotiated with local school boards.
At ETFO, we stand by our belief that ECEs deserve every opportunity to negotiate the best working conditions possible to secure their future. And we are proud to say that time and time again, we have demonstrated that ETFO is the union with expertise in elementary negotiations.
We invite you to join ETFO. As one profession and one union, ECEs and teachers can together be a powerful force in the creation of the highest-quality elementary education system in the world.
I know that many union representatives are claiming that you are a member of their union. But, just because someone tells you that you are automatically a member of a union that does not mean it is correct. Union membership and who represents members can be a complicated process. But one thing is certain; if you want to become a member of ETFO, you first need to sign a membership card to have that opportunity.
Sincerely,
Sam Hammond
President
