Opening Statement



Wednesday 5 December 2012

ETFO Strike Vote Results!



Late this afternoon the following letter was sent by ETFO President Sam Hammond to his members. I am sure you will join me in congratulating ETFO for their firm commitment and union solidarity. They have voted overwhelmingly in in favour of a one day province wide strike if Bill 115 is evoked. You can read the letter below:
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT SAM HAMMOND TO ALL ETFO MEMBERS
As you know, from Sunday, December 2nd through to Tuesday, December 4th at midnight, we conducted an all-member online vote for a Day of Political Protest.
I'm pleased to inform you that over 46,000 members cast their ballots with 92% voting in favour of a one-day political protest if the Minister ends a legal strike by our members or imposes an agreement on any local.
The results of this vote show the determination of all ETFO members across the province to do whatever is necessary to protect our fundamental rights and our collective agreements.
I want to thank each and every ETFO member who took the time to exercise their right to vote
This sends a strong message to the Minister of Education - she may think she can mislead the public - however, she will never intimidate ETFO members who are ready to lead the fight against Bill 115. 
In solidarity,
Sam Hammond

Commentary 

Welcome to the 21st century! If ETFO can vote on short notice on line over an important an issue as a strike vote, why can't OECTA members vote electronically on our own issues? 

Technologically speaking it's very possible. We had telephone voting at OECTA TSU last year, and are introducing online voting this spring for our executive election. There are companies who can set it up very reliably, and do so for many different unions. This is the 1800's no more!

A motion would need to pass at the spring 2013 OECTA AGM to allow electronic voting. It is a big decision effecting us all,. As much as many of us are in favour of it here on my blogsite, a proper debate of course needs to be held to approve any changes to our voting rules.

A special task force has been set up for late motions to this years AGM. It would be excellent if our local unit legislation committees could set their minds to drafting a suitable and well crafted resolution for electronic voting to be implemented asap. It would be wise to contact your local office now if you want to get this done.

Also please plan to apply for this years OECTA AGM. Let's get out there and work for change. It is not going to happen on it's own. We need to make it happen! I really look forward to meeting you all there!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

David there is a new youtube video worth posting on the Chiarelli Free Press: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJl0Dlhqq_Q&feature=player_embedded

Anonymous said...

More shameless drivel coming from Provincial Office: O'Dwyer sends out a 'good news' media release crowing about the fact that there are no strikes or job actions in Catholic Schools. Just so we're clear, everybody! It's spelled C-A-T-H-O-L-I-C, yes, your local neighborhood CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: No job actions or strikes!!!

More crickets on Bill 115, though.


Chirp. Chirp.

Anonymous said...

We asked our unit back in October about going as independent AGM delegates. No room. Our unit makes no effort to tell people where AGM forms are, deadlines for running for office, etc, unless you are part of the inner sanctum. Where can you get this information? This has to change.

Kulture Kult Ink said...

You should be able to phone your unit office and ask for this information. If it is not provided in an appropriate timeline or manner I would recommend you contact provincial office to find out the procedures and the deadlines for yourself, and ask for some help.

I'm not sure what you mean about going as an independent delegate. My unit does not put any restrictions on how our delegates vote but I know quite a few others do. Is that what you mean? You have to go representing your members so you have to be with your unit delegation in that you cannot otherwise alone go as a voting member.

Our unit sets transparent criteria to be a delegate. Preference is given to staff reps, executive members and committee chairs due to their experience and knowledge of the issues. We need to have a balance of delegates from our different schools and a balance of men, women, new teachers and old. So anyone who is actively involved in the unit has a good chance unless it's a year where there are way more applicants than delegate positions. Our unit has about 32 delegates including the OT's. I would think it gets a lot harder to allow members to go in the smaller units.

Possibly you should submit some new by-laws at your unit AGM to improve the selection process and delegate voting positions if they don't seem correct. They sure don't sound right to me!

OECTA AGM should be a democratic forum for our members to pass motions and elect the leadership for our union organization.

Solidarity!

Anonymous said...

Having been on strike a few times and part of the political protest I know that when it comes to walking out teachers vote in droves. The ETFO protest vote garnered support from about 55% of members. 30,000 plus did not even vote. Being an activist, I know that we always vote, those who are not upset, opposed etc. are never as motivated. Every union leader knows and understands that. So don't assume all ETFO members are as committed as the 46,000 who did vote. If I were leading the charge I'd sure want to have much better numbers. I can assure you that in my board there are of ETFO members who are not happy and would have grudgingly accepted your MOU to avoid the mess they are in. They see the Tory anti-union truck coming and would happily keep their heads down for a few years to ready foe the real fight.

OSSTF is in a total mess and I predict won't be able to deliver an effective work to rule. As angry as they may be with the Libs....and with good reason, many get the big picture and know that all the negative press for unions/teachers isn't helpful in this climate. So many wil continue to coach etc, in the next few weeks I suspect.

As for CUPE, we are in a much worse position than any of you teachers, but idont hear much sympathy for us amongst your ranks......







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