OPSEU stands in solidarity with education workers
Friday, January 11, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE
EMPLOYEES UNION (OPSEU)
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OPSEU stands in solidarity with education workers
TORONTO - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) puts the blame firmly on the Ontario Liberal party for the chaos experienced today by parents, students and workers in public elementary schools.
The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) decision issued at 4 a.m. on Friday morning put an end to protests today, but cannot silence what has become a heated issue as the January 26 Liberal Leadership Convention approaches.
"OPSEU stands in solidarity with OSSTF and ETFO," said OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "The Ontario Liberals have imposed contracts on education workers, denying their democratic rights, and now they also want to silence all dissent. I can assure you that this is not over. Dalton McGuinty has created a damning legacy for himself and his party."
OPSEU filed a legal challenge to Bill 115 on October 11, 2012. OSSTF, ETFO and CUPE have filed similar challenges.
Thomas affirmed: "This legislation is unconstitutional and a threat to collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors. OPSEU will continue to challenge Bill 115 in the courts."
OPSEU represents more than 130,000 workers, including 2000 members at Ontario's Boards of Education.
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W. Yote 1/11/2013 10:20:23 PM ReportI thought sootoday did news!? Its nothing but a posting board for propaganda. How about some journalism.
ShowMeTheWhities 1/11/2013 10:24:53 PM ReportThe Liberal governments fault?!?!? NO pretty sure teachers got exactly what they wanted. LOTS of news coverage, didn't have to pay the fine, no students in school. Went out for lunch today and counted a handful of teachers having lunch in the restaurant I was in. I am disgusted by what has been going on and am losing LOTS of respect for MANY people I have been very close with and respected for a very long time. Enough is enough SUCK IT UP
Johnedater 1/11/2013 11:02:50 PM ReportOMG....I just got up from the floor I was laughing so hard at the previous post. Are teachers not allowed to eat at a restaurant at lunch time? Maybe you could find something more intelligent to write about.
Sweets312 1/12/2013 6:55:38 AM Report@ Show me the Whities...
Teachers aren't looking for news coverage. The Liberal government is completely at fault. Trying to take away democratic rights that OUR grandparents and great-grandparents faught very hard for. Benefits, sick days, pregnancy leave etc..etc. Why would the teachers be fined when they showed up to work? So they went for lunch. Most working people get a lunch. There were students at school. Sure, it may have been an inconvenience for parents but again, that's because of the Liberal's bullying tactics. They (and everyone else in this country) are being bullied. We live in Canada...not Russia however, it is certainly going that way. Seems like the negative posters on here would like to work for pennies and eat rice 24/7. Don't think this government isn't going to come after you next, if they haven't already!
Old Man Winter 1/12/2013 8:41:23 AM ReportHere a link to the famous sunshine list and you will see the names of staff that works for ADSB:
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2012/schbd12a.html
as per the news yesterday a teacher makes over 70g per year and with all the time off they get it comes at 450.00 per day for teaching face to face with our children. Am I please ? Heck No. One of these days we will need a school reform to save taxe payers money.
KMF61MCF 1/12/2013 9:36:22 AM ReportMost of the names on that "Sunshine Club" 100,000 club are Vice Principles and Principles and Management.Which i believe Principles are Considered Management now and not in the Teachers Union.Not sure if Vice Principles are still in the Teachers Union and considered Management? Now i wouldn't think a Vice Principle would still be allowed to be in a Union if considered a Manager? Any how not many Teachers make over the 100,000 club that are in the "Union" Management should also take the Cuts, Wage freezes as well.
keegyo6@hotmail.com 1/12/2013 10:35:04 AM ReportI agree completely with the teachers. It is the liberal government @ fault. They should organize a large protest and have all family members and friends present instead. This way none of them will be fined.
keegyo6@hotmail.com 1/12/2013 10:36:33 AM ReportAnd if everybody is so jealous of how lucky they are why not go back to school and become a teacher?
Oldie Goldie 1/12/2013 12:04:35 PM ReportThe mess of not knowing if schools were open or closed was caused by the Labour Relations Board not making a decision by 4 A.M. Friday morning.
By the way the Ontario Labour Relations Board violated the rules contained in Bill 115 by getting involved with the protest---Who is going to fine the Labour Relations Board for Violating Bill 115 ?
The Members of the Labour Relations Board are all Liberal Party appointees so they could get fired if they ruled against the Government.
The O.L.R.B. violated their own rules because they promised to defend the Labour Laws that says a bonafide Union has a right to negotiate a Collective Agreement and that right was removed by the Liberal Government with Bill 115.
By your leave 1/12/2013 12:39:58 PM ReportThe ETFO and OSSTF keep saying they're okay with a 2yr contract with a wage freeze for all their members and the elimination of their members' banked sick days. Okay. So what OTHER things do these holdout unions want to bargain for that isn't going to cost the Ontario government money?
What else do ETFO and OSSTF think teachers should ELIMINATE from their compensation packages over and above the suggested 2yr wage freeze and lost banked sick days so that Ontarians are better able to afford them?
BTW keegyo6@hotmail.com, becoming a qualified teacher is the easy part. A one year bird course. Getting a job as a teacher is the impossible part. Nobody is hiring teachers becuse they make too much money and no Board can afford to hire more teachers.
Sad.
Ricatoni 1/12/2013 12:51:52 PM ReportPOWER!!!!!!!! to the teachers and all the other school aids effected by this legislation....................... liberals and conservatives =DICTATORSHIPS. screw you mcguinty and the rest of your two faced lying politicians..........
MTL 1/12/2013 12:55:51 PM Report@ Old Man Winter:
I scrolled half way through the Sunshine list that you posted and didn't see one person who belongs to OSSTF or ETFO. But thanks for sharing because it was interesting to see that a handful of teachers belonging to OECTA and the French teacher's union (can't remember the acronymn) do belong to the Sunshine list. Interesting!
Twister62 1/12/2013 3:25:18 PM ReportWhen the service industry, starts to make more money and has more time off then the people who pay the bills, yes, we as taxpayers, pay the bills and the service industry works for us. So if you are not happy with the present agreement, go get a job where you will have to work and get dirty!
Oldie Goldie 1/12/2013 4:59:30 PM ReportThe 2 year wage freeze imposed on all unions involved will only save the Ontario Government about 1 Billion dollars---where are they going to get the other 15 Billion from because they are 16 Billion in the hole from the happy-go-lucky spending habits of the Liberals--who will be next to take money from ? Perhaps a Co-pay on low income Seniors for Health Care--Perhaps a co-pay for everyone who needs Medical Services---Perhaps having Services handed over to the Feds but, on second thought we pay taxes to the Feds too----Perhaps a 17 % H.S.T.---that will be good for the Economy !
By your leave 1/12/2013 6:31:18 PM ReportSince you agree that the government is currently spending way too much money, Oldie Goldie, why do you keep complaining about them trying to reduce government spending through pay freezes?
Oh, I get it. You think that teachers and OPSEU members should get a CUT IN PAY. Good idea Oldie Goldie!
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
