AECEO Position Statement Endorses ETFO

Recently, the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario released a document entitled Position Statement on the Unionization of DECEs in the Full Day Early Learning program which strongly recommends that DECEs join ETFO. 

The document states that “The Early Learning Program and the educator partnership that leads it are best served by teachers and DECEs belonging to the same union….the AECEO provincial board recommends that where possible ECEs working as DECEs in public and Catholic schools join the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).”

The following rationale for endorsing ETFO  is given:

“ETFO is dedicated to professional development, has demonstrated support for the educator partnership in the Early Learning program, recognizes the DECE as a professional category distinct from educational assistants or other support staff and importantly ETFO supports the AECEO’s goal of enhancing the professionalization of ECEs. Therefore, we believe it makes the most sense for early childhood educators, who have the choice, to become members of ETFO.”

For more information, read the full AECEO Position Statement on Unions. As well, this Q & A Document on the AECEO Position Statment provides a more comprehensive rationale for endorsing ETFO, and addresses the misperception that ETFO did not support ECEs being part of the full-day kindergarten program.