Years of labour peace between the government of Ontario and teachers came to an end this year. Like their
colleagues in British Columbia, Ontario teachers and support staff are complaining of unfair, unnecessary, and unconstitutional legislation -- the
Putting Students First Act, 2012 -- that gives the Education Minister,
Laura Broten, unchallenged power to ban strikes, job actions, set compensation and benefits, and to
take over local school boards who are non-compliant. Ontario school boards are
unanimously opposed to the Act, which reduces their power, and so are teachers and support staff, who feel the government is
manufacturing a crisis. Most see this as a cynical ploy to capture
public support for two by-elections this week that could nudge the Liberal government into majority status. ETFO and OSSTF, two of the teacher unions involved, have repeatedly pointed out that
"the school year is not in jeopardy", that they had already accepted a wage freeze, and that local bargaining is proceeding well.
As legislation looms aheads, teachers, support staff, and labour activists are wondering: is this the end of collective bargaining for the public sector?
[more inside]
posted by The Hyacinth Girl
on Aug 31, 2012 -
49 comments
Shit Harper Did Does exactly what it says on the can. Example: "Canadian PM Stephen Harper weakened regulations so that more pesticide residue could be left on your fruits and vegetables." "Harper decorated the government lobby in parliament with photos of just himself, instead of the traditional portraits of former Prime Ministers." And much more.
posted by Fizz
on Apr 13, 2011 -
96 comments
Are Canadians changing parliament? It seems that the minority government Conservative Party has introduced legislation to set fixed four year election dates, the third week in October. Some people seem to think
it can work, and others don't. Evidently I fit into a minority position as I can't see the benefit of having a year long election runnup.
posted by pezdacanuck
on May 30, 2006 -
40 comments
