Opening Statement



Thursday 15 November 2012

Queen's Park: One Month + Counting!


It's the one month anniversary of prorogation! What's an opposition party to do? Ontario PC's criticize OLP for lack of progress with unions and promised deal with them to develop legislation for a wage freeze should the unions balk. NDP party leader Andrea Horwath calls for new rules for political prorogations. See: http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/11/20121114-130758.html


Wee! The Liberals will party tonight! Ontarians however, will not forget!

Sign NDP "Get the MPP's back to work" petition too! See: http://www.facebook.com/MPPsBackToWork

Stop Bill 115 petition reaches 3688 on line signatures. Requires 96,312. It doesn't say you have to be an ETFO member to sign it so I did. Then they had 3689 signatures. Ha. Go to: https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/ontario-mpps-repeal-bill-115-2

Here is the actual text of Bill 115 again for your easy reference: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?BillID=2665

Sexism at Queens Park. McLeod, Wynne, Copps, Horwath have all experienced it. Everything from being referred to as a "skirt", being told to "Sit down lady", sent "cut out pictures" and enquiries about their size of their breasts. I kid you not! It's is a very weird and pathetic story but Ontarians should be aware of their duly elected MPP's behaviour. Also salute the women who have stood up to the offenders and gone on to lead. Incredible. See: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/11/09/ontario-leadership-candidates-women325.html

Latest ETFO Bargaining Newsletter: ETFO met again with the MOE last weekend. They were abruptly cut short Sunday at 7pm. Discussions had focused on ETFO's concerns with the OECTA MOU and some possible ETFO solutions were discussed until the MOE abruptly ended the talks. OSSTF talks continued until later. I believe it was until about 1:30 am. See: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs111/1109381114937/archive/1111549885134.html

OSSTF issues November Collective Bargaining Bulletin explaining progress or lack thereof in talks. Also notes no OECTA bargaining unit has ratified the MOU and many of our teachers consider it unacceptable. Boy. That's more than we hear from OECTA. I wonder if Kevin will respond with a letter telling us how much we like it?!? See: http://www.osstf.on.ca/BB-Issue-21.pdf



Not the official _ _ _ _ _ _ Korner: [Nope. Thank God!]

Here is a copy of the OECTA MOU with the official signatures at the end as you requested:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?BillID=2665

I'm still searching for the list of MOU votes at COP and on OECTA executive that should have been publicly released by now. Again no luck. Nobody wants to say where they are. Will keep trying. If you have a tip please forward it to me!

By the way, if anyone from the Toronto Mystery 6 would like to contact me I want to find out more to write a blog or offer you the option of posting a guest one yourself. This blogspot is quite widely read by a lot of teachers. I  respect anonymity but of course would need to confidentially confirm your authenticity. My gmail address is at the top right of the blog screen. Solidarity!

Meanwhile we are just sitting here embarrassed as:

York ETFO work to rule is scheduled to begin next Monday. See: http://www.thestar.com/living/parent/article/1287990--ontario-teachers-york-region-teachers-to-start-work-to-rule

Ottawa ETFO job actions commence December 1st: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/11/15/ottawa-elementary-teachers-job-action-starts-december.html

Here's a Toronto Star update on impending ETFO job actions: http://www.thestar.com/living/parent/article/1287990--ontario-teachers-york-region-teachers-to-start-work-to-rule

[PS: OSSTF, ETFO and OECTA flags fly at the Friday protest out front of Education Minister Broten's Constituency Office. Report to follow. I'm just getting home and am going to relax. I have posted the photos which should start to show soon in the top left corner slide show on my blogsite.]

Uppity TVDSB director chastises teachers for "bullying and intimidation" with work refusals and threatens them with disciplinary action. They fire back a salvo reminding him they aren't doing anything illegal. Ha. Ha. See: http://www.lfpress.com/2012/11/14/tvdsb-directors-letter-chastises-teachers-for-workplace-intimidation

CTV news interview examines job actions from a contract and collective bargaining perspective and parallels are drawn with Wisconsin. Hirad Zafeiri President of the OSTA student trustees provides a very well reasoned and considered response to the effects at school. See: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=805062

Teachers petition Toronto Star for it's bias in reporting on Bill 115. The Toronto Star replies. Rather confusing but here goes: http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/1969765971001


Food fights?!? Students need a darn good talking to and maybe a warning!!! No?

Don't blame it on the teachers! There were 8 supervisors including 2 parents present during the Ottawa South Carleton High cafeteria food fight. It wasn't related to OSSTF job actions. The students came to the cafeteria prepared for a food fight. The principal has given the students a darn good talking to, also wants the parents to do likewise. She has warned them about this before. If anyone is identified this time they might be suspended. Tell me what's wrong with the progressive discipline model?!? Why isn't that the big news story? The students don't care anymore. Why should they? What a joke. See: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Lack+supervision+blame+South+Carleton+high+food+fight/7539793/story.html

This doesn't concern me now so you might want to check with your staff rep.  Here's a really good pointer to share with concerned or irate parents who demand their child's report card from you doggonit! It didn't go home because the principal says it's incomplete? Well if they ask the principal for it they are required to oblige. Ha. This is right up my alley but I suppose if you don't play your cards right it could backfire. Anyway, see: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1285670--ontario-teacher-protest-toronto-parents-can-still-see-their-child-s-no-comment-report-card-if-they-ask

Arbitrators decision that would've compensated Ottawa public elementary teachers for extra time due to early warning bells before morning start time is overturned by an Ontario court. Bet we haven't heard the last on this story! See:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=805062

See the governments opening contract proposal for OPSEU. Ho boy!
http://www.opseu.org/ops/bargaining2012/opening-proposals.htm

Meanwhile in the OLP Leaders Race: 

NDP leader Andrea Horwath plans to try to make the minority government work regardless of who is chosen OLP leader. She says that's what the parties were elected to do, and that's what the voters expect. Makes sense to me. Quite frankly I'm not convinced a majority government situation is ideal. They lack checks and balance. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Anyway, see: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/content/news/local/2012/11/16/horwath-continues-do-%E2%80%98heavy-lifting%E2%80%99


So Andrea, what do you think about the OLP leaders race?

A breakdown on the delegates for the Jan 25-27 OLP leadership "face off" at Maple Lead Gardens. The Star article gives the delegate breakdown but doesn't say how many ex-officio votes there will be. First leaders debate has been set for Dec 6. Delegate selection meetings, 16 per riding, will be held on Jan 12-13. Lots of high powered hospitality suites being arranged. Wonder if I can get a press pass as a blogger? Hmmm. See:  http://m.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1288669--ontario-liberal-leadership-2-500-delegates-will-determine-the-next-premier-of-ontario

Martin Regg Hart sees Eric Hoskins as the dark horse in the OLP race. He's got star power with the younger voters but still needs to learn the political tricks at QP and in media scrums. See: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1287980--cohn-eric-hoskins-is-the-dark-horse-with-a-guerilla-strategy

Gerard Kennedy survives a teacher staff room visit. He doesn't approve of prorogation. He is ambivalent about Bill 115. Wouldn't repeal it but wouldn't use it. He claims it isn't necessary. Kennedy doesn't believe the governments "one size fits all approach" to teacher negotiations was a good idea. See: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/14/scott-stinson-gerard-kennedy-offering-ontario-liberals-change-from-mcguinty/


Justin T: "Gerard! Dude! What aaaaaare you doing?!?

Toronto Talk Show legends [in their ow n minds...]Michael Coran and Ryan Doyle engage in a biting satire on the Federal and OLP leadership races. There is an underlying barbed nastiness to Corans comments that I don't like, but he can be quite hilarious when he is on a roll. Anyway they critique all the candidates. Coran believes in Ontario it will be a race between Kennedy and Wynne. He does not think it is a given that the Liberals will lose the spring election. Worth a laugh. Check it out: http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/featured/prime-time/867432237001/ontario-liberal-leadership-hopefuls-line-up/1969669027001

Sudbury Star's Brian MacLeod claims the Liberal parties demise is greatly exaggerated  both federally and provincially. It is not likely because voters don't like political extremes, they prefer a centralist party perhaps to the centre right which has been the Liberal brand. This has long been my stated view in this blog too. Interestingly he also points out that other parties have gotten hammered before but bounced back, for example the Conservatives at both levels of government. See: http://www.melfortjournal.com/2012/11/14/reports-of-grits-death-exaggerated

Bob Hepburn of the Toronto Star reads the numbers to predict Sandra Pupatello will win the race: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1287928--why-sandra-pupatello-will-win-ontario-liberal-leadership-hepburn

Northern Ontario Young Liberals endorse Wynne at Lakehead, Laurentian, and Nipissing Universities. See: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?BillID=2665

Wakata blogger endorses Kennedy. A very well written blog minus the spelling and grammar er....typos one finds here. Blatant in his Liberalism but one could say the same about me and this union thing of mine. Anyway, he explains why he thinks Kennedy would make a good OLP leader. One thing though: he notes Kennedy is challenging to work for, but from what I know of him during his years as Education Minister, he's a total control freak who has to micromanage everything. Then again the outcomes are great but they take time. See: http://cce-wakata.blogspot.ca/2012/11/what-do-i-think-of-gerard-kennedy.html

To be eligible for the Liberal Party Leadership Convention one must sign for or renew their party membership by Friday, Nov.23 11:59 pm.

In other news



Justin T: Whoa! I've got the munchies! Where's the Twinkies???

Justin Trudeau wants to decriminalize Marijuana. National Post wants him to legalize it. Difference? $$$$$ Think about it. See: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/14/chris-selley-trudeau-embraces-common-sense-throws-weight-behind-decriminalizing-pot/

Suspicious Sun Media figures Justin must be an old stoner [?!] and questions his "wobbly stand" in an interview with a legalization advocate. See the video: http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/1969765971001

So what's he got to say about the Twinkie situation?!?



No more Twinkees, Wonder Bread or Ding Dongs? Baby boomer icon Hostess foods files for liquidation. One uses the term "food" lightly, but they had their moments. What's going to happen to all those left over Twinkies now?!? See: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/11/16/hostess-twinkies-ding-dongs-wonder-bread-going-out-of-business/1708409/

What's the shelf life of a Twinkie? What does a "Twinkie Defence" mean? For the full Twinkie story, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkie

US Neo right blames Twinkies demise on big bad unions. You mean it has nothing to do with Hostess foods being bad for you?!? Duh. See: http://www.redstate.com/2012/11/13/yes-its-true-parasitic-unions-kill-their-hosts-or-in-this-case-hostess/


State side neo con anti unionism: coming soon to a province near you???

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe Justin "the pothead" Trudeau can help Hostess out with their Twinkie problem!

Kulture Kult Ink said...

Ha ha ha! :-)

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