Toronto: On Tuesday, February 4, education workers and teachers represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) in certain school boards will take part in another one-day, full withdrawal of services in selected locations across Ontario.
OSSTF/FEESO members in other school boards across the province will continue to engage in activities that draw attention to the dangers of the Ford government’s education agenda.
A limited withdrawal of services, which has been in place since November, will continue province-wide.
OSSTF/FEESO President Harvey Bischof has once again offered 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 just one year ago.
“OSSTF/FEESO members are not the only ones who understand the enormity of the damage that will ensue if this government’s education agenda is allowed to unfold,” said Bischof. “It is now clear from multiple polls, and even from the government’s own public consultations, that a significant majority of Ontarians recognize the folly of larger classes, diminished supports, mandatory online learning, and fewer course options for the province’s students.”
“If Premier Ford is even remotely serious about providing ‘government for the people’, then he will acknowledge that Ontarians have roundly rejected his education agenda, and he will direct his Minister of Education to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a deal that preserves the quality of one of the best education systems in the world,” concluded Bischof.
Minister of Education responds
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, said: “Parents are losing patience with OSSTF’s ultimatum of proceeding with further strikes against students unless the government delivers on their demands – including a $1.5B sector-wide compensation demand.
“OSSTF is preventing students from learning, and withdrawing critical services, including not completing report cards, EQAO math testing postponed, and extracurricular activities cancelled. These actions are only hurting the students of our province. I urge OSSTF to bring forward reasonable proposals to be bargained at the table that enhance the student experience, not compensation for their members, so we can reach a deal that keeps our students in class.”
ALSO READ: