Wednesday, January 15, 2020
With the government refusing to return to the bargaining table, all four of Ontario’s education unions are escalating job action, by pushing back against plans to radically—and regressively—transform our province’s schools.
At the core of the education unions’ concerns are the government’s massive cuts to school board funding, reductions in staffing levels, ballooning in class size ratios and ill-prepared plans for online learning. If implemented, the government’s plan would fundamentally risk Ontario’s world-renowned public education system and our students’ potential.
Unless the government returns to the bargaining table with meaningful proposals:
- ETFO will begin strikes on a rotating basis, depending on school board, starting Monday, January 20;
- OSSTF will continue its series of one-day strikes, also on a rotating basis;
- OECTA will hold a one-day, province-wide strike on Tuesday, January 21; and
- AEFO will continue work-to-rule action
I’ve been in touch with leadership at each union to offer our solidarity and support.
And as I wrote last month, supporting our education sector colleagues is about more than defending quality public education. These unions are our allies in the fight against the unconstitutional wage-capping Bill 124. They have experience in this sort of fight and standing in solidarity with them now shows the government that the province’s public sector labour movement is strong and united.
In the meantime, here’s what you can do:
Show your support for education workers. Stop by picket lines in your community. Wear red for education. On social media, talk about the importance of public service within our communities. Learn more about the issues at the affected unions’ websites:
If your family is affected by the work action, make a contingency plan. Consider talking to your manager about using flex work to help you cover childcare gaps. You may wish to use credits to take time off (including special and compassionate leave days). Learn more on our Collective Agreements, Guides, and Fact Sheets hub.
Ontario’s young people deserve a high-quality, publicly funded education. Public sector employees deserve fairness at work.
Join me in solidarity with our public sector colleagues in defence of our province’s public services and free and fair collective bargaining.
Stronger together,
Dave Bulmer
President
