Toronto: Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce lashed out at the 60,000-strong secondary teachers union (OSSTF), which announced another strike on Friday, February 28, following the coordinated walkout of yesterday.
“While OSSTF demands a $1.5 billion increase in wages and benefits, we will advance the case for investment in our kids. I’d rather see us reduce classroom sizes or invest further in improving math performance, as opposed to spending over $600 million (sector-wide) on a hike to an already generous benefits plan,” said Lecce in a statement issued to the media.
“With over 80 cents to the dollar spent on compensation and over 60% increase in spending since 2003, taxpayers and parents rightfully expect more and better for our students. We agree,” he pointed out.
“We want a deal that keeps students in class. Strikes by the teachers’ unions have resulted in millions of student days lost. Days where students should have been in class preparing for math tests, practising for hockey games or music competitions, and learning the skills needed to succeed in their educational journey and beyond. We have always been ready to meet at the negotiating table to reach a deal that keeps students in class,” Lecce added.
OSSTF Responds
OSSTF/FEESO President Harvey Bischof has repeated the federation’s standing offer to postpone pending job actions if the government agrees to return to, and maintain, the class size ratios and staffing levels that were in place in Ontario schools during the 2018–2019 school year.
“Doug Ford and his Minister of Education continue to claim that they are laser-focused on keeping students in class. Yet, for more than two months now, they have simply ignored our repeated offer to do just that by postponing pending strike actions,” said Bischof.
“Despite their hollow claims, the Premier and the Minister are focused on one thing only: their careless, dangerous agenda of larger classes, mandatory e-learning, and fewer supports for the most vulnerable students,” continued Bischof.
“It’s time for the Premier and the Minister to listen to the people of Ontario, abandon their campaign of disinformation, and negotiate, in good faith, an agreement that is good for the students of Ontario,” concluded Bischof.
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