The Education for Education Ontario (ETFO) central agreement for 2020 has received its fair share of attention in recent months. The agreement, which was made between the Government of Ontario and the ETFO for its 83,000 members, has been a hot topic of debate among educational stakeholders in the province.
The agreement was reached following a long and difficult bargaining process and was finally signed in March 2020. It covers a range of issues including salaries, benefits, and working conditions for ETFO members.
One of the most controversial aspects of the agreement is the salary increase for ETFO members. The agreement provides for a 1% increase in 2020, followed by a 1% increase in 2021, and then a 1.5% increase in 2022. While this increase was seen as a victory for ETFO members, it was criticized by some as being too low.
Another issue that the agreement covers is class sizes. The agreement provides for the maintenance of class sizes at their current levels, which was seen as a win for ETFO and educators in Ontario as the government had previously proposed increasing class sizes. The agreement also provides for a class size cap of 23 students for junior and senior kindergarten classes.
In addition to salary and class sizes, the agreement also covers benefits for ETFO members. The agreement provides for an increase in benefits for all members, including those who are part-time or occasional. This was seen as a positive change for ETFO members, as it provides them with greater security and stability.
Despite the positives that the agreement provides, there were some concerns raised by ETFO members and other educational stakeholders. Some were concerned that the agreement did not go far enough in addressing the concerns that educators in Ontario have been raising, such as increasing funding for education and providing greater support for students with special needs.
Overall, the ETFO central agreement for 2020 is an important document that outlines the rights and benefits of ETFO members in Ontario. While there are certainly some concerns that have been raised about the agreement, it is an important step forward for educators in the province and provides them with greater stability and security.