Just days into her new post as President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA), Michelle Pero is adjusting well.
The former Grade 5 and 6 teacher took over the role for the Elementary Unit on July 1st on the heels of new contract negotiations with the province.
OECTA logo (supplied)
“I have been a relief school officer with our association where I was taking relief days for the last five years or so,” Pero says. “I also served as the first Vice President, Chief Negotiator, and grievance officer so I’ve been through thick and thin with this unit. We had a local strike back in 2015 and 2017 that I was part of the (local bargaining unit) for that and so I’ve had a lot of experience with this.”
Pero recalls that the sticking point in the strike centered around the need for fair and transparent language on how teachers applied for internal postings within the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board (TBCDSB).
Back on June 30th, Premier Doug Ford stressed that kids should be back in the classroom in September with extracurricular activities and no labour disruptions.
Supplied photo of Michelle Pero
Pero added, “I’ve seen first hand what students and education workers have gone through over the last two years, nobody wants to see disruptions. I find it interesting because (the comments) came very early in the process. Notice to bargain has been delivered to the province, but the parties haven’t even talked yet.”
Acadia News also spoke with Dave Paddington, the President of the Lakehead Elementary Teachers of Ontario (LETO), who believed that the Premier is posturing and has made it no secret that public service workers are in his crosshairs.
Pero stated that working conditions for teachers are the same as the students learning conditions.
“Striving for excellence for our members is also striving for excellence within the schools for our students,” Pero mentioned. “We know that the kids should be in the classroom and learning with the proper supports around them that are properly funded.”
The current deal is set to expire on August 31st.
