Episode 5 of Education Forum: The Podcast is all about shining a light on the unseen work that keeps our schools running. Our incredible guests include Stefani Burosch, a Professional Student Services Personnel (PSSP) Worker from Kawartha Lakes and Philip Battison, a Plan Support Staff Worker from Ottawa.
Check it out: underfunded.ca/#podcast
And let us know what you think! Email podcast@osstf.ca
Ford govt announced draconian, heavy-handed legislation today that imposes a 4yr contract on @osbcucscso's 55,000+ ed workers, most of whom are women & make ~$39,000
#OSSTF stands w/ CUPE's Members. Ford govt must respect & uphold workers' right to fair bargaining #OntEd#OnPoli
URGENT - #OSSTF/FEESO Members: continued solidarity is crucial in the fight against the Ford gov's unprecedented use of the notwithstanding clause to strip workers of their rights.
Check your email for info on solidarity actions & upcoming communications. #IStandWithCUPE#OntEd
#OSSTF bargaining team still in the caucus room, waiting for @Sflecce@fordnation bargaining team to come to the table. We’ve been waiting since 9am, haven’t seen the gov’t team. #onted#onpoli#FairDealNow
Ford govt's completely unnecessary, heavy-handed legislation against @osbcucscso's ed workers is appalling!
Make no mistake – this legislation & use of notwithstanding clause is NOT to keep students in class. It's about stripping workers of their rights.
#OntEd#OnPoli#OSSTF
Over 100 #OSSTF Members are at Queen’s Park today. And MPPs are going to hear us!
We can’t allow these continued attacks on our rights as workers and we can’t allow further cuts to public ed.
We must do what we can to block Ford’s unconstitutional legislation #OntEd#OnPoli
ALT Group photo of OSSTF members inside Queen’s Park
We are APPALLED that the Ford government will appeal the recent court ruling that justifiably found #Bill124 to be unconstitutional.
#OSSTF/FEESO will continue to fight Bill 124 with our #OnLab allies. We cannot allow this type of governance to become normalized! #OntEd#OnPoli
A huge thank you to all the #OSSTF members who took the time to travel to Niagara Falls today from across the province. Being part of #ThePeopleVsConservativeCuts rally is exactly what we mean when we say #solidarity forever.
Safe travels and keep fighting for #NoCutsToEducation
BREAKING NEWS: An extra 160,000 kids per day will be fed in Ontario as Trudeau will today announce more than $108 million in federal money for Ontario as part of the national school food program. FINALLY Ontario has signed on! #OntEd#OnPoli#OSSTFthestar.com/politics/federal…
IMPORTANT NEW DATA shows how the Ford gov's underfunding & understaffing in schools is leading to more students w/ disabilities missing out on in-person learning! Experts explain that "most exclusions come down to insufficient staff" #OntEd#OnPoli#OSSTFthetrillium.ca/news/educatio…
Minister of Education, @Sflecce says he wants #OSSTF to be reasonable - to be clear, Minister, our proposals are absolutely reasonable. We are asking for a reversal to education cuts, research into e-learning, and fair compensation for workers.
#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli
STATEMENT: #OSSTF rejects statements made by Ford & Min Lecce that attempt to manufacture false divisions b/w parents, educators & students.
Their harmful comments disregard the rights of students & show a profound lack of understanding of the role of public ed. #OntEd#2SLGBTQI
BREAKING NEWS: Bill 124 win for education workers!
#OSSTF + @ETFOeducators' members have been awarded an additional 2.75% salary increase for the 2021-22 contract yr. Compounded, the total increase is 7.41%, including the 1% allowed under the unlawful Bill 124.
#OntEd#OnPoli
It’s not too late to call off Tuesday’s full withdrawal of services if @Sflecce agrees to reinstate & preserve staffing ratios for education workers & teachers + class size average to 2018/19 levels. Then, let’s bargain remaining issues in good faith. #OSSTF#onted#onpoli
"You can't have a govt... saying we have no money to give ed workers, then provide all these random payments to parents... [They're] not paying them a livable wage, you're not going to retain the best staff & there's going to be a massive #OntEd crisis."
cbc.ca/news/canada/london/lo…
The @tdsb e-learning survey findings:
- 87% of students don’t want mandatory e-learning
- 81% of parents don’t want mandatory e-learning
- 97% of secondary school teachers don’t support the plan
Listen to “the people” @Sflecce.
#osstf#ontedcp24.com/mobile/news/mandato…
OPINION: "(Bill 98) should be thrown into the wastebin & forgotten, and the gov should take its boot off the neck of local school boards.
If the government wishes to improve education, it can spend more on teachers & reduce class sizes." #OntEd#OnPolitvo.org/article/education-is…
.@Sflecce has a fully staffed labour relations dept. Yet, hires a Bay St law firm to lead their negotiations=$$$. We’re working with a Min of Labour mediator at no cost to the parties. But, Lecce is pushing to get a private mediator=$$$.
Unnecessary use of public money. #onpoli
So the Ford govt is taking $365 MILLION out of schools & classrooms in order to hand it out to parents for... Tutoring? iPads? Cost of Living?
Lecce couldn't clearly say what this money is for... But we know where it's really needed and that's in the classroom!
#OntEd#EQAO
Ford's shortchanging of #OntEd is making headlines again!
30% of principals say they use “unqualified adults” to tackle staff shortages in schools. Students have been sent home & classes cancelled in order to deal with this govt's staffing crisis. #OSSTFthetrillium.ca/insider-news/…
Today, members of #OSSTF across the province are participating in either information pickets or full withdrawals of services. This is what #unity looks like, @Sflecce. We are proud to stand up for publicly-funded education.
#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli#solidarity
The @Sflecce@fordnation bargaining team notified us at 4:30 that they’re done for the day. Never saw them again following the Minister’s latest disruptive press conference.
68 minutes at the table over 4 days this week. What happened to 24/7? #onted#onpoli#OSSTF
Ford's harmful comments have real-world consequences for many #2SLGBTQI+ youth!
If the gov't enacts this as policy, #OSSTF will vigorously defend its members in exercising their professional judgement in creating safe schools!
Full statement ➡️ bit.ly/3Pj7mx5#OntEd
A #SafeSeptember will require significant new investments to ensure the safety of students & staff. The @fordnation and @Sflecce plan must maximize safety for all. Parents are demanding it, and so are education workers and teachers. #OSSTF#onted#onpoli
BREAKING: Ford gov has taken over $1.3 billion out of public education funding & deliberately hid the cuts under a "Planned Provision" item!
This means Ford has cut $1500 per student in #OntEd funding since 2018. Really shows their commitment to transparency 😡 #OSSTF#OnPoli
Bill 124 was sold as necessary due to a "looming financial crisis".
The court ruled this argument to be false!
Ford govt gave their wealthy friends tax cuts while hospitals & schools struggled w/ staff shortages caused by #Bill124! #OntEd#OnPolithetrillium.ca/insider-news/…
They did it against @osbcucscso & they can do it against any other union!
This will impact our own bargaining. SHAME on the Ford government for stripping workers of their rights.
Fair bargaining cannot happen under duress!
#IStandWithCUPE#OSSTF#OntEdcbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/e…
“Ford govt wants you to think that everyone who works in #OntEd is overpaid. Ave wage of #OSSTF ed workers is $45,000 a yr & many rely on a 2nd or 3rd job just to get by.
Ed workers are frontline workers. They deserve respect + fair wage.” - @karenosstfpressprogress.ca/doug-fords-…
We know a BULLY when we see one!
☑️ Using students as cover for stripping workers of their rights
☑️ Forcing a restrictive contract on low-income workers, mostly women
☑️ Unwilling to keep negotiating, creating chaos + disruptions to learning
#OntEd#OnPoli#39KIsNotEnough
Join us to give a big shout out of thanks to all the health care professionals, EMS personnel and first responders that continue to provide amazing services and support on the front-lines. We appreciate all of you! #onpoli#COVID19#Healthcare
Bad news for the Ford gov't & @Sflecce - Environics poll indicates strong support for ed. workers.
✅ The public doesn't trust the Ford gov't
✅ The public doesn't support the Ford gov't's attack on public education
#onpoli#onted#NoCutsToEducation#OSSTFbit.ly/2tFcdmj
As we take the time to help flatten the COVID-19 curve in Canada, #OSSTF also takes the time to thank our front-line workers in health care, transit, food supply & retail, and those caring for our vulnerable.
Be well, be safe, and stay united.
According to experts, proper ventilation in classrooms/workspaces is crucial for a safe return to school. The public deserves to know the state of disrepair of ventilation in Ontario's schools.
Ford and Lecce should make the data public today!
#SafeSeptember#onted#onpoli
Ford gov says they care about students. Then they underfund #OntEd.
Ford gov says they care about seniors. Then they underfund health care & LTC.
Ford gov says they care about families. Then they underfund child care.
They don't care. They never did.
thestar.com/politics/provinc…
Semester 2 has started for Ontario’s secondary school students. Minister @sflecce needs some remedial help understanding the impacts of his education cuts. So, we have crafted him a timetable.
#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli#OSSTF
Thank you to all the #OSSTF education workers + teachers who stood up for publicly-funded education today, and an extra thank you to the parents, students, community members, + politicians who joined us on the lines.
@Sflecce knows the people of Ontario want #NoCutsToEducation!
THANK YOU to every #OSSTF member & ally who stepped up in defense of publicly-funded education this week. Our goal = maintain high-quality learning environments for ALL students. Take care & support one another.
#onpoli#onted#solidarity#NoCutsToEducation#fairdealnow
NEW DATA shows that Ontario is DEAD LAST in Canada for program spending, including health care, education, maintenance, income supports, environmental protection, etc.
"It's hard to believe how much Ontario is shortchanging the public programs we all depend on." #OnPoli#OntEd
“Much might be said about the need for stability in schools in these upcoming weeks … future stability, however, requires the govt to provide the resources necessary to ensure schools are staffed by qualified teachers & education workers." #OntEd#OnPolithestar.com/politics/provinc…
Parents, experts, teachers and educators keep asking the same question this #osstf member asks - “Why is it OK to stick 30-odd people in a very small room with no ventilation when that's not allowed anywhere [else]?” #onpoli#ontedcbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-…
Good morning, OSSTF/FEESO. Thank you to all the members who will be walking the picket lines and hosting information pickets today. Our #solidarity continues! Be safe and stay warm out there.
#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli#osstf
OSSTF/FEESO stands in solidarity w/ @osbcucscso's Education Worker Members.
We again call on the Ford gov to invest in public education & negotiate a fair deal
#OSSTF Members, we will share updates & ways to show your support as the week unfolds. #CUPESolidarity#OntEd#OnPoli
Some early shots from today's walk out picket lines - with more to come!
#Solidarity is everywhere.
Thank you to all members, students, parents, and community members who are taking the time today to stand up against @Sflecce#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli#fairdealnow
Wow! This sign is from the Toronto education strike, Nov 75 - Jan 76. It was held then by the father of the #OSSTF member holding the sign now (who was 8 then).
@Sflecce - education workers are always ready to stand up for public education.
#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli
Time for a @fordnation FACT CHECK.
@LisaThompsonMPP says academic quality has been falling, only cites Gr 6 Math scores. How about other scores?
Have a look - Do these scores really look like an education system that is failing?
#OSSTF#NoCutsToEducation#onted#edchat#onpoli
We're here as the PC convention attendees enter their convention, asking them why they are OK being part of a party that supports cuts to the social services Ontarians need and deserve. The people are standing in #solidarity at #ThePeopleVsConservativeCuts rally.
On @CP24Breakfast, @sflecce said his "model" will "get better value for our $" but, the ON Financial Accountability Office showed the Ford Gov't plans to fund tax cuts at the cost of services Ontarians need.
Education cuts are funding tax cuts - that's not OK.
#NoCutsToEducation
We fully support @osbcucscso's goal of obtaining a fair deal for their Education Worker Members.
We remain at the bargaining table, focused on getting a fair deal for our Ed Worker & Teacher Members.
We call on the Ford govt to invest in public ed & students in ON #OntEd
On behalf of 60,000+ #OSSTF mbrs, thank you 🙏 Please, take a moment to acknowledge & thank the parents/community members who continue to stand up and defend publicly-funded education in this province. #Solidarity#NoCutsToEducation
Thank you to all #OSSTF education workers and teachers for standing in #solidarity to protect publicly-funded education in Ontario. Our fight continues, but @sflecce, make no mistake, we are united in our call for #NoCutsToEducation.
#onpoli#onted
“...so when it comes to something as vital as education, the public for the moment seems prepared to live with labour disruptions, because the more credible party in the the teacher-government dispute is the unions.” #NoCutsToEducation#onpoli#ontedgoogle.ca/amp/s/www.theglobe…
Clean air quality isn't a luxury; it's a fundamental right for every person who steps foot in our public schools, no matter where they are in Ontario.
#OSSTF calls on all MPPs to support this bill & ensure every #OntEd school has clean air & a safe learning environment. #OnPoli
Today I am tabling the Improving Air Quality for Our Children Act, 2023.
If adopted, this bill will help improve air quality in our classrooms and licensed childcare facilities.
I hope that folks from all sides can stand behind this important issue for our kids
#onted
“If the Premier truly believes that union leadership is the impediment...he should exercise his right to require my members to vote on the government’s offer.” #OSSTF President, @HarveyBischof#NoCutsToEducation#onpoli#onted
More evidence of the Ford govt’s use of the privatization playbook for ON health care ⬇️
Underfunding/Underspending + Attacking Constitutional Rights (Bill124) = Recipe for Chaos, Outsourcing/Privatization
pressprogress.ca/doug-ford-o…
Via @pressprogress
Unlike Minister @Sflecce, parents & students know that teachers' evaluations of student projects, conferences, classroom tests, group work, etc. provide a more accurate & complete assessment of student performance than just EQAO scores.
#onted#onpoli#NoCutsToEducation#OSSTF
“We shouldn't be normalizing this (violence in schools). I go into a Canada Post office and it says ‘violence (and) harassment will not be tolerated.’ That's in the doctor's office. That's in stores. We don't get to say that in education.”
#OSSTF President @karenosstf on the rising issue of violence in Canadian schools!
ctvnews.ca/canada/teachers-i…
Across ON, boards are dealing w/ serious staffing & retention issues. @OSSTFD19 President Ryan Harper shares that it's the first time resignations outnumber retirements for teachers in Peel.
Ford govt's short-changing of #OntEd has led us here! #OSSTFmississauga.com/news/union-s…
Minister Lecce is still not providing all the facts, which was evident in his announcement today. Not all is what it seems to be - read this thread: #onted#onpoli#OSSTF#NoCutsToEducation
At a time when hate speech and discrimination towards the #2SLGBTQI+ community is increasing, we must commit to creating safe, inclusive communities and learning environments for ALL youth!
#OSSTF opposes all forms of hate!
Full statement ➡️ bit.ly/3Pj7mx5#OntEd
It’s 2020 and OSSTF/FEESO’s resolution is to continue to stand up for publicly-funded education in Ontario. Our positions remain firm – protect class sizes, keep e-learning optional, ensure proper staffing levels to meet student needs.
#NoCutsToEducation#osstf#onted#onpoli
Tomorrow is a pivotal day for democracy & workers' rights!
@SCC_eng will hear our case against the Ford gov's attempt to silence workers' voices through unconstitutional legislation + the misuse of the notwithstanding clause.
Stay tuned! #OnPoli#CdnPolicbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/s…
Listen to the people @Sflecce - #OSSTF is receiving requests from parents and the public wanting to stand with us in #solidarity during today’s one-day strike + at various info pickets. Contact your District office for sites- bit.ly/380sDoR#NoCutsToEducation#onted
The ON gvt. refuses to share the results of the Class Size Consultations but the truth has come out - Ontarians overwhelmingly denounce class size increases + mandatory e-learning. It's time to listen + reverse cuts to education, @Sflecce#osstf#onted#onpoli#NoCutsToEducation
Ford gov wants to "transform" #OntEd through “getting back to the basics” + giving the Min of Ed more power, even though he has never worked in education.
What's missing from their plan? Anything on how to better support students or invest for the future. tricitynews.com/opinion/geof…
Our kids need the kind words from their office clerical worker when they are sad and want to call home, or they forgot their lunch. All support staff are an essential part of every education team. #CUPEstrong#StopFordsCuts#CutsHurtKids#OntEd#NoCutsToEducation
Boards across ON are dealing w/ underfunded budgets courtesy of the Ford gov! thetrillium.ca/insider-news/…#TDSB is calling for more special ed funding, citing a “massive funding gap"- will spend approx. $67 million MORE on special ed this year than what the MoEd has allocated #OntEd
“Students should be safe... adults should be safe. This is all a result of chronic underfunding of (public ed) where we don’t have the supports to meet the needs of students” - @karenosstf
Ford's cuts to #OntEd have put staff & students at risk! #OSSTFtoronto.citynews.ca/2024/02/…
Don't believe Ford's fiction!
ON is DEAD LAST in Canada when it comes to spending on critical programs such as health, #OntEd, the environment, income supports, etc.
Ford is deliberately underfunding the public programs that Ontarians rely on! #OnPolimonitormag.ca/articles/ontar…
Parents, students, & ed workers want #NoCutsToEducation but, the gov't & @sflecce won't listen. Their pursuit of cuts has them backed into a corner.
#OSSTF's proposals are reasonable & protect Ontario's publicly-funded ed system. Tell your MPP to reverse the cuts.
#onpoli#onted
“To deny 1000s of children medically necessary therapy to give them the opportunity to thrive, is nothing short of shameful... it has ruined so many lives..."
Parents are FED UP w/ the Ford gov's shameful changes to ON's autism program #OntEd#OnPoliglobalnews.ca/news/9677060/p…
"What's disappointing is the fact that we have not been asked for any input whatsoever from this government or this Ministry of Education," @HarveyBischof#osstf#onted
“We’re continually being asked to do more w/ less. Teachers shouldn’t have to also be social workers or psychologists...We’re not trained to do that.”
#OSSTF President @karenosstf calls for more staff in #OntEd to address the ⬆️ in school violence #OnPoliglobalnews.ca/news/9971377/t…
On @metromorning, @Sflecce said, "I was very concerned... that exam are being rescheduled now because OSSTF... has decided to proceed with the strike next week."
FACT - #OSSTF next 1-day strike is scheduled OUTSIDE the Min of Ed exam schedule
#NoCutsToEducation#onted#onpoli