Negotiations have resumed between the province and a union representing Ontario's elementary school teachers.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents 76,000 public elementary teachers who have been without a contract for a year, has been in a legal strike position since May.

Members have threatened to ramp up a work-to-rule campaign that began last spring, if a deal cannot be reached by the first day of school.

In an Aug. 20 statement, ETFO said "phase 2" of strike action will begin on Sept. 8. Teachers and occasional teachers will remain in schools to carry out their instructional duties, but will not:

  • Participate in field trips
  • Collect money for school-related activities
  • Participate in fundraising activities
  • Respond to any electronic communication from the principal or vice principal outside of the instructional day, except where there is a safety issue involved
  • Collect and distribute to students any paperwork required by the school or school board
  • Attend open houses or "Meet the Teacher" events outside of the instructional day