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High school teachers union allows volunteer time
But it doesn’t necessarily mean all teach- ers are in lock step with their union. OSSTF President Ken Coran said in a com- ment posted to Twitter that he doesn't ex- pect all public high school teachers to re- sume their involvement in extracurricular activities. And media reports subsequent to the an- nouncement indicate not all teachers are
happy with the union’s decision. The decision was announced by the union’s provincial council. The council is the legislative body of OSSTF/FEESO between annual meetings and is responsible for the interim policy and political action. It con- sists of over 150 local leaders from across the province. “We expect that this sign of goodwill from our members will prompt the government to have genuine discussions that can lead to a fair resolution to this current impasse,” said Coran in announcing the decision. But he also added a cautionary note. “We still maintain that voluntary activi- ties are just that: voluntary. We encourage members to review recent information and decide if they are willing to return to partici- pating in the activities we know they feel so passionately about.” Premier Kathleen Wynne expressed her enthusiasm for the announcement in a statement from Queen’s Park. “I’m happy to hear the results of today’s vote by OSSTF members, and I’m so glad
613 850-5744 La Maison du Store All kinds of blinds La gamme complète de stores 3433, ch. Gendron, Hammond ON www.dannysandradecor.com “I’ve been clear that this issue needs to be addressed within Ontario’s existing fiscal framework. But I am confident that our gov- ernment’s commitment to fairness, consis- tency and respect in our conversations with OSSTF and all our partners will continue to result in real work being done for the peo- ple of Ontario.” that teachers, support staff and students across the province will once again enjoy the extracurricular activities and programs that mean so much to them. She said the Liberal government has “im- mense respect” for Ontario educators and the party’s members recognize the impor- tant role they play in children’s lives and in communities across Ontario. “Today’s news is a great indication of the hard work all parties are putting into the repair of this valued relationship. It shows our willingness to work together, to listen to one another’s concerns, and to find com- mon ground on which we can rebuild a foundation of trust and create an effective process going forward.”
GREG KIELEC greg.kielec@eap.on.ca
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Fed- eration is recommending its teachers suspend their political action related to extra-curricular and voluntary activities.
Upper Canada school board 1,/!0ŏ3%0$ŏŏ)!// #!
to elementary teachers,”said David Thomas, UCDSB director of education. The ETFO said in a Feb. 28 statement it is hoping that positive discussions held with the provincial government will turn into concrete actions, but discussions so far have not translated into real change. “In these circumstances, ETFO’s advice regarding voluntary/ extra-curricular activi- ties remains unchanged.”
VISION@EAP.ON.CA PRESCOTT-RUSSELL
The chair of the Upper Canada District School Board is disappointed that the El- ementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has not followed the lead of their second- ary school counterparts to suspend politi- cal actions. “Our students and parents will be frus- trated that ETFO has not taken itself out of the equation by which teachers decide to fully participate in school activities,” said Greg Pietersma. “Although we are concerned about the information that teachers will receive, we are pleased that it is advice, not a directive
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