QUEEN'S PARK, ON, June 3 /CNW/ - The Ministry of Education today released

its conditions to permit suspended boards and bargaining units to regain

access to the provincial framework. The conditions follow yesterday's

suspension of nine boards and bargaining units for violating the terms of the

provincial framework - largely due to accelerated work-to-rule campaigns.

    "Any work-to-rule that impacts students is in direct contravention of the

agreed-upon terms of the provincial framework," said Education Minister Gerard

Kennedy. "Therefore, in order for the funding benefits of the framework to be

regained, all lost activities, including report cards, graduations, field

trips and extracurricular activities must be restored. We cannot accept any

sustained reduction of services for students in this province."

    The conditions for restored access to the provincial framework include:

      -  All activities lost under the current accelerated work-to-rules must

         be restored and replaced before the end of the school year - both

         parties must provide formal assurance to the ministry;

      -  Agreements must be reached by June 8, 2005 - one week after the

         suspension was put in place;

      -  Agreements must be within the provincial framework agreed to by the

         Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) and the Elementary

         Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) on April 14.

    As of 4:00 pm today, some 99 agreements had been successfully concluded,

while another 14 boards and bargaining units have received extensions for

varying lengths of time suited to their circumstances.

    A small number of units, all in the elementary public panel, are

currently seen as not in keeping with the conditions of the provincial

framework. These are:

      -  Algoma District School Board (DSB)

      -  Avon Maitland DSB

      -  Bluewater DSB

      -  Halton DSB

      -  Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB

      -  Lakehead DSB

      -  Limestone DSB

      -  Renfrew DSB

      -  Thames Valley DSB

    "Our absolute goal remains to have all students and teachers benefit from

the provincial framework," said Kennedy. "It is vital, however, that the

original conditions are upheld by all parties."