Ontario’s education unions show solidarity

The presidents of the major unions gathered on Monday during the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association annual meeting as a show of solidarity in advance of contract talks with the province.

The contracts for thousands of education workers expire at the end of August.

Ontario Secondary School Teacher Federation President Martha Hradowy says their unity is important.

“Moments like this remind us that when teachers and education workers stand together, our collective voice is powerful,” says Hradoway.

The unions have been calling for an early start to contract talks.

“Let’s start the bargaining process, so that we can work together to invest in the resources and supports that students need to learn, grow, and thrive,” reads a joint statement issued at the beginning of May.

In a speech to secondary school teachers gathered for their annual meeting, Hradoway said the talks will be critical.

“Yes, it’s about wages. Yes, it’s about benefits. It’s about workload, staffing, safety and respect. But it is also bigger than that,” says Hradowy.

“This round will shape the future of public education here in Ontario. It will shape the conditions our members work in, and it will shape the conditions students learn in.”

Class sizes, recruitment and retention of staff and violence toward educators have been cited as some of the key issues the unions are hoping to address in talks.