Student: Bill 115 puts no one first
Monday, October 08, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
Loyal SooToday.com reader Jennie Dorscht has sent us a copy of a letter she wrote to Sault Ste. Marie Member of Provincial Parliament David Orazietti. Dorscht, a student at Central Algoma Secondary School is concerned about her teachers' right to collective bargaining and the quality of education she will experience in her last year of secondary school.
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Mr. David Orazietti, M.P.P.
Sault Ste. Marie
Dear Mr. Orazietti,
As a member of your riding I am writing to you with my concerns about Bill 115, Putting Students First Act, 2012.
I am a grade 12 student at Central Algoma Secondary School and I find it absolutely absurd that Bill 115 has taken away the teachers' right to collective bargaining.
I feel that no amount of government debt could ever justify what is being done by the provincial government.
I firmly believe that collective bargaining has played a huge role in bringing our country to where it is today.
Without collective bargaining we would still be living in a country that allowed dangerous, unhealthy working conditions at absurdly low wages.
Canadians should be able to take pride in the fact that we are above forced labour and sweatshops, but the obscenities of Bill 115 have made me question whether or not we are truly above the corruption that often still occurs in other less democratic countries.
Not only does Bill 115 take away basic rights from teachers, it also has had a huge negative impact on my school community.
The spin effects of Bill 115 have caused great turmoil in my school.
I feel we have lost the great sense of community that we once had, and that my learning experience during my last year of high school will not be as beneficial as it could have been.
I feel Bill 115 in absolutely no way, shape or form has put the students first.
If changes for the better are not made soon, I fear that future generations' education will suffer from the downward spiral effect that will be caused by Bill 115.
As I will be reaching the age of majority within the next few months, I will soon be able to exercise my right to vote, therefore I am very interested in being informed on current political issues.
Unless the Ontario Liberal Party does a whole awful lot to ensure that everyone is given the right to collective bargaining, I can assure you that, come the next provincial election, David Orazietti and the Ontario Liberal Party will not have my vote.
Yours Sincerely,
Ms. Jennie Dorscht
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opinionated 10/8/2012 10:01:42 PM ReportHope Justin Tetreault reads this one.. Good for you Jennie.
Sam C 10/8/2012 10:31:40 PM ReportWell said, Jennie.
Ginga 10/8/2012 10:40:32 PM ReportYou are the future, some of these students will be teachers, support workers and or involved in unions . Just say No to Bill 115
rcamp211 10/8/2012 10:48:04 PM Reportsounds to me like a future teacher or a family member of one??
speed7 10/8/2012 11:02:40 PM Report A very smart young person . Finally who understands what truly this is all about. We should be thankful we dont live in Afghanistan or Syria where guns go off outside while they are teaching class. Women are looked to in in a depreciative manner. Rights bieng striped away. Very nice letter. I enjoyed reading today.
sarji 10/8/2012 11:45:38 PM Reportwith all the cutbacks by the corporates, this country is already into forced labour and sweatshops and it seems to be getting worse. DEMOCRACY?
blue diamond 10/8/2012 11:52:59 PM ReportGood for you as a student to recognize this.
Who is next? This is probably the tip of the iceberg. People plan their future upon the present plan in place and the carpet gets ripped from under your feet.... Now revise your plan. How many more contracts will get the Liberal axe?
It is easy for the Liberals to go after teachers, as the media makes teachers look SO, SO horrible. Remember under bill 115, teachers are almost without any rights. So when they take away extra curricular activities, they, the teachers, are the bain of the public. You must remember what extra curricular is...unpaid, free service....That is all the teachers have left.(to protest with)
It is sad to think that soldiers fought in wars to protect our rights in Canada and Ontario, only to see the Liberals impose and strip contracts. Welcome to the new order?
I wonder what type of response David Orazetti is going to get when he returns to the classroom after the next election now he has SOLD his fellow workers down the river? Haha, I can only imagine! He once was the president of the local Ontaro Secondary Teachers Federation (OSSTF). Shame on you David. To add icing to the cake, his wife is a teacher too.
So before you complain about teachers, walk a mile in thier shoes. They do more than most people ever realize. Remember, they probably spend more time with your child than you do each day, and know more about your child than you do. Yes, hard to believe, but true.
Teachers often spend more time than the 9 to 3 at school doing school activities. Teachers often spend much of their own money and family time to take care and provide for their students.
I think the public has to look past the media portrayal about educators, as they do so much more than given credit for. If you are reading this, thank a teacher who helped you learn to read. Yes their job.... BUT....do you know or realize all the other things they did for you, your class mates,and the community?
Maybe before you throw stones at educators, step back and think carefully. And I hope your contract is not the next to get the Liberal axe.
Number One Son 10/8/2012 11:59:53 PM ReportThis is not about protecting collective bargaining rights. Teachers simple want more gravy on their plate, and it has to stop at some point. They don't want to admit to their true motives, and as always, have found a way to make students pawns in this charade.
These types of restraints are being put on numerous unions in current times, and we aren't about to revert to sweat-shop mentality just yet.
The writer of this letter was obviously coached to put these words out there, .... maybe a few years out in the real world will dry up the water behind her ears, and she will realize how foolish her letter is.
Number One Son 10/9/2012 12:14:21 AM ReportBlue Diamond, ..... blah, blah, blah, ....
You are talking to a former teacher, I have walked the proverbial "mile in their shoes".
BTW, .... David O. will be getting a healthy pension, remember, .... doubt he will go back to teaching.
Tender34 10/9/2012 12:29:49 AM ReportNumber One Son....I don't think there was any coaching involved in that letter. This is an anonymous forum. Why would anyone need to put words into someone's keyboard? That said, welcome to Communist Ontario !!! That's what you get when you have a majority government. You have wage freezes on hourly government employees, yet the supervisors and managers still get raises every year. You have laws being changed to suit the present government. You have money making ventures, such as casinos, being sold for one time numbers that will pad their budget so they can brag during their next campaign. This is never going to change as long as we have a system that allows for the absolute power of a majority government.
andrews 10/9/2012 1:05:15 AM ReportI think it's wrong to restrict collective bargaining in such a way, but I also think the current contracts in place are unjust as well. How is it possibly justified to be able to strike (ie. refuse to do your job) and yet not be able to be fired for it, just because you're doing it together? If there was a shortage of teachers and the job was in demand, its a great strategy for workers to increase their wages. But there isn't a shortage. There's a massive waiting list to be a teacher because of the RIDICULOUS benefits given to them. If they truly are irreplacable, then go nuts, strike, and the government will be forced to cave, and no one should be able to refuse them that right. But I also think that employers have rights as well as employees. If they can replace a workforce refusing to work, they should be able to. The current teacher's contract doesn't let them
grammy 10/9/2012 7:18:00 AM ReportGreat Job Jennie!!
little lulu 10/9/2012 7:50:58 AM ReportLooks like there is hope!! Thank you Jennie for writing a letter of support! We will continue to fight and we will continue to do the job that we love!! Bravo!
PlasmaX 10/9/2012 8:24:36 AM ReportDefinitely sounds coached or very biased. Although it is a well-written letter don't forget that this student is 17 years old. It is easy for her to only see it from a teacher's point of view - i'm pretty sure that when teacher's talk about Bill 115 to their students they have nothing good to say. She lacks understanding of the whole picture and the history of teacher politics in Ontario.
Number One Son 10/9/2012 9:21:19 AM ReportThank you for agreeing Plasma X.
On one hand, teachers like to brag about how influential they are on our children, and how they have great input into developing who they become. Then, on the other hand, you have a letter like this come out and people trying to say she wasn't coached in assembling the letter, .... how naive.
I laugh at her idle threat of not voting Liberal once she turns 18. Who does she think she will vote for that will do anything any different? The Federal Conservatives are always passing back to work legislation (ask the postal workers), and ask your teacher friends who worked under the Bob Ray NDP regime how they liked the NDP.
Oh right, there is always that bastion of political rightness and governing experience, the Green Party. The party that will triple our current debt just to save a muskrat in Moose Factory.
Teachers preach they teach for the love of the children, .... spare me the rhetoric, .... as someone said, there is a lineup to become a teacher, and for a lot of other le$$ honorable rea$son$.
blue diamond 10/9/2012 9:35:04 AM ReportSo Number One Son, you too are like David O., you have turned away from those who pay your pension right now.
By the gist of your response you were only in teaching for the benefits, not what is really about. If all you went into teaching for was the benefits, too bad you chose the wrong career! It is saddening to hear teachers turn on their own, but maybe they were not
really a teacher in the first place.
Polis 10/9/2012 9:38:10 AM ReportJennie, you have hit the nail right on the head with an intelligent response. Thank you for not only thinking about this serious matter, but also taking the time to write down your opinions in a public forum. We must always fight to maintain our rights so that future generations have quality of life in a free democratic society. Your vote will matter very much if you continue to take this responsibility so seriously. Well done!
PlasmaX 10/9/2012 9:43:21 AM ReportI really have to laugh at some of the responses on here. It is almost like they don't even read or fully digest what other people are saying before they write ill-prepared retorts. Blue Diamond: everything Number One Son wrote points to the fact that he disagrees with the amount of benefits/$$ that teachers are getting and wanting more of. Yet you accuse him of being a teacher only because of the benefits? How did you come up with that?
Justin Tetreault 10/9/2012 9:47:40 AM ReportIf you go to CASS, you don't live in Orazietti's riding. Write your own MPP.
Justin Tetreault 10/9/2012 9:48:52 AM Report"So Number One Son, you too are like David O., you have turned away from those who pay your pension right now."
MPPs don't have pensions.
speed7 10/9/2012 10:52:50 AM ReportShe might not understand teacher politics as you say... but she does understand what a TEACHER does in school for the students. That is more important if you ask me. Her message was very respectful and curtious and very true. The rest of you so called politicians can judge your own selves. Realize this. You are not safe. Spread all the lies you wish ect... still the fact remains this will affect you too! This student is more mature than some adults ever will be.
speed7 10/9/2012 11:04:51 AM ReportAlso before you continue to spread this one lie over an over again on here. Let me correct you. teachers DO NOT COMMENT OR DISCUSS BILL 115 IN CLASS WITH THE STUDENTS at all!!! Realize that and put it to rest. Seriously? They dont discuss union matters with students. Dont you think that has its own place to be discussed. NOT in the classroom.
frnlak 10/9/2012 11:21:18 AM ReportFor an alternative to the three main political parties, google...Northern Ontario Heritage Party.
blue diamond 10/9/2012 12:39:50 PM ReportTo PlasmaX
"Number One Son 10/9/2012 12:14:21 AM Report
Blue Diamond, ..... blah, blah, blah, ....
You are talking to a former teacher, I have walked the proverbial "mile in their shoes".
BTW, .... David O. will be getting a healthy pension, remember, .... doubt he will go back to teaching." (end quote)
To PlasmaX this says he was a teacher, and he had also made mention in another post about motives... I don't have it here to copy. Just a teacher who is going sour now they left the profession. It happens!
Wheels17 10/9/2012 1:54:31 PM ReportGood for you, Jenny! Stand up for your rights as a student. To all you posers out there, students and teachers are allowed to voice their opinions. I think the government doesn't know what they are doing anymore.
PlasmaX 10/9/2012 2:05:49 PM ReportBlue Diamond: what are you smoking? I know he is a teacher! - all i said was where are you getting the impression that the only reason he became a teacher was because of the benefits?? Again you just proved the point i made in my previous post!!
geterdun 10/9/2012 3:41:39 PM ReportNumber one son: you are living in a box pal........the unions will eventually ruin this liberal goverment for many years to come...if you dont believe me have an election right now and see what happens......your types are all the same living in a dream world with no reality.......LOL It is people like you who have ruined this province for the youth....You take what you want when you want for all your own benefits and you dont care about the youth or their future.........do us all a favor and just get out of Ontario its not a province for greedy people like you......your name says it all Number one son...LMAO....... yea its all about you pal....... its all about you.......
Wobbler 10/9/2012 3:59:23 PM ReportJustin Tetreault:
The Sault Ste. Marie riding includes St. Joseph Island, Michipicoten Island, North and South Sandy Islands, Batchawana Island, Ile Parisienne and Campement d'Ours Island.
Communities include:
Bar River
Batchawana Bay
Bruce Mines
Echo Bay
Garden River 14
Goulais Bay 15A
Gros Cap
Heyden
Hilton Beach
Laird
Montreal River Harbour
Pancake Bay
Rankin Location 15D
Sault Ste. Marie
Justin Tetreault 10/9/2012 5:03:19 PM ReportThe Federal riding of Sault Ste. Marie contains the cities/town you name.
The Provincial riding of Sault Ste. Marie is just the city limits of Sault Ste. Marie.
http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/media/en/maps/ED_legal_description/79.pdf
Sault St. Marie
Population : 74,565
Consisting of that part of the Territorial District of Algoma contained in:
(a) the City of Sault Ste. Marie;
(b) that part of Rankin Location Indian Reserve No. 15D lying within the limits of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
Zarm27 10/9/2012 5:22:25 PM ReportYeah, the comment that made me laugh the most was the writer may be a future teacher or possibly social worker, both flooded markets, set those bars high. Also, I recall another teacher on another topic admitting the pay/benefits/vac are great, so my rhetorical question is why if the contract is so great a "union" insists on having the ability to hold a country hostage? Much like a doomsday button, the union makes money off fear and threats, kudos.
little lulu 10/9/2012 9:19:55 PM ReportOh Zarm, I should have known that you would use my honest words against all teachers....talk about holding people hostage....how exactly are we holding the country hostage?? By taking away activities that have always been voluntary?? We are standing up for the right to negotiate.....a right among all unions, and like I ALSO said, there are many, many issues within a contract that can and should be discussed and fine tuned to suit all parties involved.....yes we had 20 sick days, 20 sick days that took DECADES to negotiate into contracts because we work in a germ, lice, scabies (to name a few) factory! And in one fell swoop, with one piece of legislation, those days are gone. The sick leave plan requires jumping through hoops and ridiculous amounts of paperwork (wonder how many people it takes to fill out these forms) so again, we are asking for the right to negotiate, not be told what we must adhere to adhere to...or else...
Zarm27 10/9/2012 9:57:37 PM ReportYou aren't, thanks to the bill, and in all honesty it'll be abolished I'm sure in the next fiscal year. As far as germs and such go, yeah kids may have lower standards of hygeine, however there are other jobs that have it much worse. An example would be a nurse doing a picline on an aids victim, really as gross as the thought of scabies is, there's no comparison.
soohawks 10/10/2012 2:02:34 PM ReportI am afraid that if this Bill was not enacted the teachers would be on strike right now (they did do a strike vote that was at or above 90%). However it is their right to take away their services for after school activities.... it is just to bad it is only being done because of this Bill and not for genuine reasons. The students didn't do anything to the teachers but the teachers are taking their frustration out on the innocent kids ...that is what is wrong with this. Strangely it only seems to be the teachers at CASS. I have always thought CASS represented a more community oriented school compared to the other high schools. The teachers are upset with the government and their answer to that is to strike out at the kids instead of the Government. There are a lot of great teachers out their that are against this but they are being strong armed by the Union to take these activities away ...it is too bad they don't stand up for themselves and say it is my time i am giving and I will decide what I want to do with it.... Like they would preach to their students to do. Hopefully the good teachers will rise above this otherwise it will be the kids that continue to suffer... not the government.
