Today's news links follow below....
Welcome to my teacher + union news+ views blogspot! I post articles, links and photos from all of the teacher affiliates here: OECTA, ETFO, and OSSTF. Also CUPE who represent many of our educational support workers.
If you are unfamiliar with my blogspot, yes, I am the OECTA TSU 3rd VP here at Toronto Secondary. This blogspot is not an official OECTA website. I've used it for the past year and a half or so to keep our unit members, whom I represent, up to date on important issues, and my own work on their behalf. I like to provide links that represent a wide variety of points of view. I think we are smart enough to read and consider their validity. If other teachers also find my blogspot useful that is great too! I'm very pleased to be of service!
I add commentary as I see fit. It is my blog. It does not represent OECTA's official position on whatever I am blogging about, unless it is identified as such. To be quite blunt, I am opposed to the OECTA MOU, because it represents contract stripping. I consider that an absolute no no. I was not impressed with OECTA Provincial's ratification process, nor the communications follow up. Bill 115 stripped our collective bargaining rights. I'm very concerned that we are not out officially protesting and holding strike votes along with our colleagues from the other affiliates. There are about 176 blogs in the archive below this column. You can find out more there about any number of important teacher + union issues. Read what I think. Decide for yourself.
I don't try to hide that I am a Catholic teacher. I believe it is necessary to stand up for what is just and best for our OECTA members. It is a duty. From what I have seen since July 5th, well, our position with the MOU and silence about Bill 115 just plain isn't correct for us or anyone else. However. also know I will provide links and so on that sometimes are very critical of the other affiliates too, when need be. Like most of you, I am a teacher. I do not indoctrinate. I educate. Please read everything here with an open mind. Consider the different perspectives for yourself. Think hard about the education crisis. Only the truth will set us free from all the nonsense that's going on.
To read my Blogspot Manifesto for tsu3rdvp.blogspot.com please go to: http://tsu3rdvp.blogspot.ca/2011/06/blogspot-manifesto.html
I hope you enjoy my blog! Please share my address!
New Teacher Newslinks:
Thursday Sept 27:
McGuinty + Liberals slump badly in polls, while party + leader shows polarization between Cons + NDP:http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1262810--ontario-liberals-support-slumps-poll-finds
Martin Regg Cohn considers McGuinty's leadership support at this weekend's Liberal AGM: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1262840--cohn-up-for-review-dalton-mcguinty-mulls-his-leadership-options
Ottawa Public board to consider making it easy to allow parent's to supervise + coach extracurriculars. They discussed it with Broten on Tuesday. Fears parents will transfer students to Catholic schools with extracurriculars, though numbers have not yet been significant:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Public+school+board+rolls+welcome+volunteers+lead+extracurricular+activities/7303905/story.html
Cardus think tank believes federal constitutional challenge possible to Accepting School's Act requiring GSA's: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/constitutional-challenge-threatens-ontarios-anti-bullying-law/article4571147/
Wednesday Sept 26:
The OECTA MOU cracks start to widen? Sudbury Catholic Elementary unit president expects Halton + Toronto will also be filing complaints against OECTA Provincial deal! Sudbury had their extended medical benefits removed. Toronto units lost their gratuity. Not happy campers! See: http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/405576--ont-liberals-to-unveil-details-of-wage-freeze-legislation
Government wage freeze deal reached with public service managers http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1261785--wage-freeze-deal-reached-with-10-000-ontario-public-service-managers
New legislation, if passed will freeze the wages of 481,000 public service workers: http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/405576--ont-liberals-to-unveil-details-of-wage-freeze-legislation
Globe article predicts new legislation will test Liberals limits on wage freezes: http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-pay-freeze-legislation-will-test-government-limits/article4568469/?service=mobile
Please share! Twitter link for student protest at Queen's Park this weekend can be found at:
https://twitter.com/TheGrandSolo/status/249272320840044546/photo/1
Tuesday Sept 25
Sudbury OECTA Elementary President MacNeill speaks further on his unit's repudiation of the MOU. Provincial President O'Dwyer argues he "won't engage in a public debate on the matter."
Surely, most everyone else must know by now the issue will not just go away. A bunker mentality? See: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/story/2012/09/25/sby-catholic-teachers-complaint.html
Dalton's daily affirmation: If you have nothing nice to say.....See: http://daltonsdeals.tumblr.com/post/32284944096/daltons-daily-affirmation-if-you-dont-have
McGuinty expected to introduce new tough guy legislation for public wage freeze to divert attention from the Liberal power plant fiasco: http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-liberals-to-broaden-wage-freeze-for-public-workers/article4567760/?service=mobile
OFL [Ontario Federation Of Labour] meets to mobilize opposition against McGuinty's plans: http://ofl.ca/index.php/emergency-meeting-union-leaders-announce-plans-mobilize-opposition-mcguintys-attack-charter-rights/
Hudak Conservatives persist in ridiculous drivel that Tim's much more drastic cuts can reverse economic crisis the Liberals themselves created, ignoring virtually everything happening outside Ontario since 2008. See:
http://www.ontariopc.com/news/pcs-will-rein-in-nine-years-of-reckless-overspending-shurman/
OPSBA [Ontario Public School Board Association] seeking legal advice on the duties of a teacher,
in consideration of Bill 115, but claims this is not related to extracurricular duty concerns: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1261692--school-boards-group-try-to-clarify-the-role-of-teachers
Windsor Public Board uncertain on whether to take legal action against teachers for not attending Meet the Teacher nights: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/09/24/local-trustees-not-sure-about-legal-action-against-teachers/
York Public Board approves extra funding for extracurricular transportation costs. Boycott of extracurriculars varies from school to school, but overall sounds like not much is happening.
Go see: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1261597--york-school-board-to-cover-more-of-team-transportation-costs
ETFO President Sam Hammond takes on hypocritical former Tory Ed Minister John "Snowman" Snobelen in his letter to the editor. Sun editor responds with a rude remark his right wing buddies can snort and guffaw about over their morning beer: http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/09/24/letters-to-the-editor-sept-25
Windsor Star letter to the editor provides a math primer for McGuinty on Sick Day Debacle: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/09/24/62489/
K-W Public elementary contract talks continue: http://www.therecord.com/article/805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks?src=http%3A%2F%2Fm.therecord.com%2Farticle%2F805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks
Ontario Teacher Network notes that teachers do not sign contracts to coach. It should not be taken for granted that we have to, we volunteer: http://www.therecord.com/article/805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks?src=http%3A%2F%2Fm.therecord.com%2Farticle%2F805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks
More links coming! More below........................
Welcome to my teacher + union news+ views blogspot! I post articles, links and photos from all of the teacher affiliates here: OECTA, ETFO, and OSSTF. Also CUPE who represent many of our educational support workers.
If you are unfamiliar with my blogspot, yes, I am the OECTA TSU 3rd VP here at Toronto Secondary. This blogspot is not an official OECTA website. I've used it for the past year and a half or so to keep our unit members, whom I represent, up to date on important issues, and my own work on their behalf. I like to provide links that represent a wide variety of points of view. I think we are smart enough to read and consider their validity. If other teachers also find my blogspot useful that is great too! I'm very pleased to be of service!
I add commentary as I see fit. It is my blog. It does not represent OECTA's official position on whatever I am blogging about, unless it is identified as such. To be quite blunt, I am opposed to the OECTA MOU, because it represents contract stripping. I consider that an absolute no no. I was not impressed with OECTA Provincial's ratification process, nor the communications follow up. Bill 115 stripped our collective bargaining rights. I'm very concerned that we are not out officially protesting and holding strike votes along with our colleagues from the other affiliates. There are about 176 blogs in the archive below this column. You can find out more there about any number of important teacher + union issues. Read what I think. Decide for yourself.
I don't try to hide that I am a Catholic teacher. I believe it is necessary to stand up for what is just and best for our OECTA members. It is a duty. From what I have seen since July 5th, well, our position with the MOU and silence about Bill 115 just plain isn't correct for us or anyone else. However. also know I will provide links and so on that sometimes are very critical of the other affiliates too, when need be. Like most of you, I am a teacher. I do not indoctrinate. I educate. Please read everything here with an open mind. Consider the different perspectives for yourself. Think hard about the education crisis. Only the truth will set us free from all the nonsense that's going on.
To read my Blogspot Manifesto for tsu3rdvp.blogspot.com please go to: http://tsu3rdvp.blogspot.ca/2011/06/blogspot-manifesto.html
I hope you enjoy my blog! Please share my address!
New Teacher Newslinks:
Thursday Sept 27:
McGuinty + Liberals slump badly in polls, while party + leader shows polarization between Cons + NDP:http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1262810--ontario-liberals-support-slumps-poll-finds
Martin Regg Cohn considers McGuinty's leadership support at this weekend's Liberal AGM: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1262840--cohn-up-for-review-dalton-mcguinty-mulls-his-leadership-options
Ottawa Public board to consider making it easy to allow parent's to supervise + coach extracurriculars. They discussed it with Broten on Tuesday. Fears parents will transfer students to Catholic schools with extracurriculars, though numbers have not yet been significant:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Public+school+board+rolls+welcome+volunteers+lead+extracurricular+activities/7303905/story.html
Cardus think tank believes federal constitutional challenge possible to Accepting School's Act requiring GSA's: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/constitutional-challenge-threatens-ontarios-anti-bullying-law/article4571147/
Wednesday Sept 26:
The OECTA MOU cracks start to widen? Sudbury Catholic Elementary unit president expects Halton + Toronto will also be filing complaints against OECTA Provincial deal! Sudbury had their extended medical benefits removed. Toronto units lost their gratuity. Not happy campers! See: http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/405576--ont-liberals-to-unveil-details-of-wage-freeze-legislation
Government wage freeze deal reached with public service managers http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1261785--wage-freeze-deal-reached-with-10-000-ontario-public-service-managers
New legislation, if passed will freeze the wages of 481,000 public service workers: http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/405576--ont-liberals-to-unveil-details-of-wage-freeze-legislation
Globe article predicts new legislation will test Liberals limits on wage freezes: http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-pay-freeze-legislation-will-test-government-limits/article4568469/?service=mobile
Please share! Twitter link for student protest at Queen's Park this weekend can be found at:
https://twitter.com/TheGrandSolo/status/249272320840044546/photo/1
Tuesday Sept 25
Sudbury OECTA Elementary President MacNeill speaks further on his unit's repudiation of the MOU. Provincial President O'Dwyer argues he "won't engage in a public debate on the matter."
Surely, most everyone else must know by now the issue will not just go away. A bunker mentality? See: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/story/2012/09/25/sby-catholic-teachers-complaint.html
Dalton's daily affirmation: If you have nothing nice to say.....See: http://daltonsdeals.tumblr.com/post/32284944096/daltons-daily-affirmation-if-you-dont-have
McGuinty expected to introduce new tough guy legislation for public wage freeze to divert attention from the Liberal power plant fiasco: http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-liberals-to-broaden-wage-freeze-for-public-workers/article4567760/?service=mobile
OFL [Ontario Federation Of Labour] meets to mobilize opposition against McGuinty's plans: http://ofl.ca/index.php/emergency-meeting-union-leaders-announce-plans-mobilize-opposition-mcguintys-attack-charter-rights/
Hudak Conservatives persist in ridiculous drivel that Tim's much more drastic cuts can reverse economic crisis the Liberals themselves created, ignoring virtually everything happening outside Ontario since 2008. See:
http://www.ontariopc.com/news/pcs-will-rein-in-nine-years-of-reckless-overspending-shurman/
OPSBA [Ontario Public School Board Association] seeking legal advice on the duties of a teacher,
in consideration of Bill 115, but claims this is not related to extracurricular duty concerns: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1261692--school-boards-group-try-to-clarify-the-role-of-teachers
Windsor Public Board uncertain on whether to take legal action against teachers for not attending Meet the Teacher nights: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/09/24/local-trustees-not-sure-about-legal-action-against-teachers/
York Public Board approves extra funding for extracurricular transportation costs. Boycott of extracurriculars varies from school to school, but overall sounds like not much is happening.
Go see: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1261597--york-school-board-to-cover-more-of-team-transportation-costs
ETFO President Sam Hammond takes on hypocritical former Tory Ed Minister John "Snowman" Snobelen in his letter to the editor. Sun editor responds with a rude remark his right wing buddies can snort and guffaw about over their morning beer: http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/09/24/letters-to-the-editor-sept-25
Windsor Star letter to the editor provides a math primer for McGuinty on Sick Day Debacle: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/09/24/62489/
K-W Public elementary contract talks continue: http://www.therecord.com/article/805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks?src=http%3A%2F%2Fm.therecord.com%2Farticle%2F805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks
Ontario Teacher Network notes that teachers do not sign contracts to coach. It should not be taken for granted that we have to, we volunteer: http://www.therecord.com/article/805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks?src=http%3A%2F%2Fm.therecord.com%2Farticle%2F805938--elementary-school-teachers-continue-contract-talks
No comments:
Post a Comment