Offer to teachers reasonable, McGuinty warns
September 11, 2008
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Kerry Gillespie & Kristin Rushowy
Ontario values its public elementary teachers but with the slipping economy taxpayers simply can't afford their demands, Premier Dalton McGuinty says.
The province's offer of a 12 per cent pay hike, over four years, is as much as the province can afford, he said.
"It's given in recognition of the value of the work they do for us as a society but we've also got to keep in mind the ability of taxpayers to fund these salaries," McGuinty told reporters yesterday.
"I'm asking teachers to keep something in mind, maybe a few things in mind. Number 1, take a look at what's happening to the Ontario economy. We have a modest, very modest rate of growth and I think we've put forward what would be considered to be a pretty reasonable offer here."
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has begun a campaign to pressure the province to eliminate the difference in funding for elementary and secondary education, estimated by government sources to be about $479 per student. That's less than half what it was when the Liberals took office.
"It's not about salary," said union president David Clegg. "I find it interesting that the Premier spoke about Ontarians being treated fairly (by the federal government) ... that's all elementary teachers are looking for. We're looking for fairness for our students.
"The Premier continues to miss the point if he's talking about salary."
Clegg said the union is looking for a commitment from the province to eliminate the gap over the next four years.
Ontario's public elementary teachers have walked away from provincial "discussion tables" where big-ticket items like salary and preparation time are hammered out, while other issues are left to local bargaining.
The province's Catholic and French language teachers have already signed on to a deal that includes:
A 3 per cent wage increase each year over four years.
An additional 40 minutes of prep time per week by 2012.
Two non-teaching days to write report cards and assess students, by 2012.
Supervision time – hall, bus or yard duty – will go from 100 minutes a week to 80 minutes by 2012.
More teachers hired to bring down class sizes in Grades 4 to 8, down to 24.5 from the current 25.
By the end of the four-year agreement, the maximum teacher salary will be $94,612, up from the current $83,476, while the average salary will go up to $83,395 from $71,020.
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne has given boards and teachers' unions until Nov. 30 to work out collective agreements.
Ontario's secondary school teachers return to provincial discussion tables today and tomorrow for support staff and will see how that goes before taking steps to begin discussions for high school teachers.
Toronto Star