Description: The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is calling for a “pause” in extra-curricular activities after the Ontario government brought in a bill that freezes their wages and limits their bargaining rights.

Source: The Toronto Star

Date: 09/18/2012

Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1257158–parents-scramble-to-explain-teacher-boycotts-to-their-children

Related links:

• Professor David Doorey discusses the legal issues in this dispute
• Bill 115, the Putting Students First Act
• Statement from the Ontario ministry of education
• The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
• Earlier update on B.C. teachers’ job action

Questions for discussion:

• What are the teachers doing here?
• What is work to rule? Why can’t Ontario teachers apply that term to this dispute?
• How is this situation similar to that in B.C. last year? How is it different?
• The Toronto Star story describes parents trying to explain this action to students. What would you say if you were a parent?
• Prof. Doorey asks: “If you think a law like that is a good idea, then should it apply beyond teachers?  Should all employees be required to perform volunteer work, or just teachers?” What do you think?