Ontario public teachers set to strike?
I’m off for a few days but readers may want to look at this Toronto Sun piece by Moira MacDonald. It seems both the public elementary teachers’ union (ETFO) and the secondary (OSSTF) are considering strike action if they don’t get what they want by the deadline of November 30th — although the contracts expire on August 31st. Some public school boards are playing games as well — holding off talks until the end of October.
Let’s see just how the Dalton McGuinty Liberal government deals with this. My guess is that they will cave to both the boards and the teachers’ unions because, remember, McGuinty is the “Education Premier” — whatever that is supposed to mean.
H/T to Cathy Cove.
Ron:
This is all for show. The Teachers own McGuinty and the Liberals lock, stock and barrell. They will use our tax monies to buy the Teachers’ silence just like they have done for the last 5 years.
August 25, 2008, 11:22 amAnn:
I think so too Ron. Here’s the rub though. What can the opposition, more specifically the Ontario PCs counter with effectively given the education trouncing they got last election?
August 25, 2008, 11:46 amChris:
Ann,
I think that the Conservatives would defiantly be able to score points if there is a teachers strike despite their lackluster performance on the issue last October. ETFO and OSSTF know full well that members are not in any mood to strike and the public would not be sympathetic giving the precarious state of Ontario’s economy right now. I think the Tory’s more urgent problem is what Robert Benzie wrote about in todays Star: Conservatives are getting frustrated that their leader cannot find a seat in the Legislature.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/484911
August 25, 2008, 12:56 pmAnn:
thanks Chris. I’m not convinced, and I hope I’m wrong, but doesn’t matter what the issue, whether it’s education, economy, jobs, healthcare, the Conservative opposition at the moment is too quiet to the point of appearing rudderless among their support base. Appearances, as they say make a huge difference.
August 25, 2008, 2:13 pmReal Conservative:
‘Get what they want…’ what a radical concept. So who does get what they want besides liberals and unionists these days? (real conservative)
August 25, 2008, 3:59 pmeduc8m:
“Get what they want” might also include getting rid of the grade 10 literacy test. After all, it doesn’t seem to matter whether or not kids pass it in order to graduate; nor does it matter whether kids hand in assignments on time. All that matters is that the government can brag about all their improvements and that the unions don’t have to be accountable for anything.
August 29, 2008, 10:21 amAnn:
and we know that if the unions want to nix that literacy test that the ed. premier will oblige. After all can’t he now claim that the tide has turned and that all students at Gr. 10 level can read just fine….or at least read enough to check off a ballot??
How about we ask employers and post-secondary institutions about how well the kids our elementary/secondary schools prepare kids to read and read to understand???
Nothing surpises me in Dalton’s Ontario. Bend over folks because we’re all about to be ____________ !
August 29, 2008, 12:24 pmSandy:
Educ8m — I just put up this post in response to your concerns.
Update: I just noticed Ann’s comment as well. Seems many of us are on the same page on this topic.
August 29, 2008, 12:52 pm