The organization's members are the full-time public elementary teachers employed by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).

[9] In response to the passage of the Putting Students First Act (Bill 115), by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the membership of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto engaged in several forms of organized protest, including, most notably, a one-day strike action on December 18, 2012.

On December 18, 2012, Toronto public elementary teachers participated in a one-day strike action to protest Bill 115 and the legislation’s perceived negative impact on local collective bargaining.

[12] On January 15, 2013, Toronto-local members organized a protest in front of the Ontario Ministry of Education building, on Bay Street.

[15] The TDSB, following directives from Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals, conducted its own review, refining the list of underutilized elementary schools to 48.