Ontario Teachers Unions vs. PC Leader

[August1991]

An Ontario teachers union has approved charging its members an extra $3-million to fund a political action campaign aimed at keeping the Progressive Conservatives out of office in the fall provincial election.

The $60-per-member additional fee was passed by 67% of delegates at the Ontario Catholic Teachers Association's annual general meeting last month in Toronto.

"Our goal is to elect an education-friendly legislature in order to protect the gains in education made over the past eight years," says a letter from union president James Ryan sent to members.

...

PC officials reacted angrily to the letter and the campaign fund. "The letter sent to [union members] contains lies and they are the same lies being spread by Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberal Party," said Lisa MacLeod, a PC MPP seeking re-election.

"Spending $3-million to run attack ads against Conservative candidates, when we are not able to fund that same type of ad to combat them, is effectively doubling the Liberals' advertising budget for the next election," said Ms. MacLeod.

National Post

It seems to me that there are at least two different issues here.

First, do election gag laws apply in this case? (Should such laws even exist?)

Second, with 67% of delegates voting in favour, should an organization have the right to impose fees on thousands of other members to advance a political agenda?

In Quebec, the CSN is urging its members and the public to vote against Harper:

En conséquence, Mme Carbonneau invite ses membres et la population en général à tout faire pour battre le gouvernement Harper. La CSN s'engagera dans la campagne électorale, et entend organiser des rencontres dans chaque région au cours des semaines à venir pour faire valoir son point.

La Presse

Organizing meetings is one thing but the Ontario teachers union is creating a specific fund with a special levy.

This has shades of a looming battle like those of US governors Chris Christie or Scott Walker.

-----

Meanwhile, the Ontario Teachers Pension fund faces several choices:

With more than 90 retired teachers over the age of 100 and receiving benefits, the problem for the Ontario TeachersPension Plan is clear.

Despite a record annual investment return of $13.3-billion reported Tuesday, the largest single-profession pension plan in Canada is facing systemic funding problems due in part to changing demographics that mean some teachers receive retirement benefits for more years than they worked, said Jim Leech, chief executive of the plan.

.....

Remedies could include increasing contribution rates by working teachers, invoking measures that would limit protection from inflation, reducing future benefits, or a combination of these methods.

Legislation would have to be changed to affect pension benefits already earned.

Financial Post

Ultimately, it is taxpayers who pay teachers salaries and their benefits including pensions. It is the Ontario government (through tax revenues) that guarantees the pension fund.

Edited April 6, 2011 by August1991

[Shwa]

National Post

It seems to me that there are at least two different issues here.

First, do election gag laws apply in this case? (Should such laws even exist?)

Second, with 67% of delegates voting in favour, should an organization have the right to impose fees on thousands of other members to advance a political agenda?

In Quebec, the CSN is urging its members and the public to vote against Harper:La Presse

Organizing meetings is one thing but the Ontario teachers union is creating a specific fund with a special levy.

This has shades of a looming battle like those of US governors Chris Christie or Scott Walker.

-----

Meanwhile, the Ontario Teachers Pension fund faces several choices:Financial Post

Ultimately, it is taxpayers who pay teachers salaries and their benefits including pensions. It is the Ontario government (through tax revenues) that guarantees the pension fund.

God forbid we not allow unions a political voice and then let them pay for it.

BTW - its the taxpayers who pay everyone's salaries and benefits including pensions.

[Oleg Bach]

Magna international have stakes in the Teachers Union...the head of Magna is a hard core and aggressive atheist..and a bit of an international socialist. - looks like the commie industrialist are attemping to over throw our establishment - Not going to happen Frank.

[Pliny]

National Post

It seems to me that there are at least two different issues here.

First, do election gag laws apply in this case? (Should such laws even exist?)

Second, with 67% of delegates voting in favour, should an organization have the right to impose fees on thousands of other members to advance a political agenda?

It seems teachers are no longer progressive and wish to maintain the status quo. Are they the future conservatives?

Liberal institutions once established are never again liberal.

The public teachers union is not a political party and one or two teachers are not liberals, so levying this fee should be voluntary if it exists at all.

[Pliny]

God forbid we not allow unions a political voice and then let them pay for it.

They should have a voice like every other individual - a free vote, not a partisan collective putsch.

BTW - its the taxpayers who pay everyone's salaries and benefits including pensions.

Not out of their taxes though.

[Shwa]

They should have a voice like every other individual - a free vote, not a partisan collective putsch.

Why not?

Not out of their taxes though.

But is that what was meant?

[mikedavid00]

Ultimately, it is taxpayers who pay teachers salaries and their benefits including pensions. It is the Ontario government (through tax revenues) that guarantees the pension fund.

Yes.

You have have joined me in the ranks of being one of the few 'enlightened' in Canada. You now understand the fundamental corruption of our country and the unions.

Remember, 1 out of 4 people in Canada report working at a regular work place full time.

Out of those people, 1 in 4 are Civil servants, and 1 in 3 of the above number is unionized (civil servants, auto workers etc)

This chunk of the working population that are middle class, are almost all civil servants paid through tax dollars. The private sector workers in the middle class are very rare if you are in that group.

In Canada, there is no morals. There is no rules. It's a very, very corrupt country where your job here is to support the big 'pyramid'. Canada is one big 'Pyramid' scam.

[Bonam]

If I was an Ontario teacher, I'd be pissed, whether or not I supported or opposed the PCs. The greatest injustice here is to the teachers who don't want to spend part of their paycheque on advertising for/against idiotic politicians, for those teachers who have more important things in their lives and better things to spend money on. But then again, teachers unions in Canada have long since stopped being about what's good for the employees, they are now extreme left political/social action committees.

[bloodyminded]

Yes.

You have have joined me in the ranks of being one of the few 'enlightened' in Canada.

That's awesome for you, being one of the few Enlightened among us. Good work.

Remember, 1 out of 4 people in Canada report working at a regular work place full time.

Out of those people, 1 in 4 are Civil servants, and 1 in 3 of the above number is unionized (civil servants, auto workers etc)

This chunk of the working population that are middle class, are almost all civil servants paid through tax dollars. The private sector workers in the middle class are very rare if you are in that group.

For the Enlightened, even the math is different!

In Canada, there is no morals. There is no rules.

Are there grammarians?

[Oleg Bach]

That's awesome for you, being one of the few Enlightened among us. Good work.

For the Enlightened, even the math is different!

He's write about this trend of immorality in Canada - A very bright young person said to me recently and in a very critical manner..."YOU are all about honour and all that other crap" - I hope this young man is not typical of the new generation.

Are there grammarians?

[Oleg Bach]

CORRECTION - this post is from OLEG BACH - must have hit the wrong button - sorry Bloody Minded.

[Oleg Bach]

Correction again! The post ABOVE is in part mine...can't trust machines to be accurate when they are controlled by human hands, I suppose.

[bloodyminded]

Correction again! The post ABOVE is in part mine...can't trust machines to be accurate when they are controlled by human hands, I suppose.

[mikedavid00]

That's awesome for you, being one of the few Enlightened among us. Good work.

For the Enlightened, even the math is different!

Are there grammarians?

Hey Michael Harder,

How come you aren't running around policing the discussion for all the posts on this thread asking people to contribute?

Why single me out?

Ahhhh.. I think we really know the reason why. Maybe Michael, you should contribute a little more to the discussion rather than run around trying to ban people that aren't of your political stripe?

[guyser]

How come you aren't running around policing the discussion for all the posts on this thread asking people to contribute?

He saves it for the truly whacky.

Why single me out?

See above

Ahhhh.. I think we really know the reason why. Maybe Michael, you should contribute a little more to the discussion rather than run around trying to ban people that aren't of your political stripe?

He doesnt ban people mikey.

By the way, you met saipan yet? You two have lots in common.

Bonam-If I was an Ontario <Catholic> teacher, I'd be pissed, whether or not I supported or opposed the PCs.

Damn right.

[Oleg Bach]

Hey Michael Harder,

How come you aren't running around policing the discussion for all the posts on this thread asking people to contribute?

Why single me out?

Ahhhh.. I think we really know the reason why. Maybe Michael, you should contribute a little more to the discussion rather than run around trying to ban people that aren't of your political stripe?

Signal you out because you are SPECIAL....Mike would not appreciate you if you had no talent - now write something great and profound!

[Michael Hardner]

How come you aren't running around policing the discussion for all the posts on this thread asking people to contribute?

Why single me out?

Ahhhh.. I think we really know the reason why. Maybe Michael, you should contribute a little more to the discussion rather than run around trying to ban people that aren't of your political stripe?

Hi Mike,

I think I prodded GWiz on this also today and others too. Not singling you out.

[Michael Hardner]

And on the thread goes...

[Scotty]

I'm uncomfortable with political activism by unions. And I'm a shop steward. I know that our union is opposed to Harper, which is not really surprising. I can even see how a majority Tory government might be seen as against the interests of our membership. Just as I can see how a Conservative government in Ontario could be against the interests of the Teachers unions, since, let's face it, McGuinty has been the teachers obedient lap dog since day one.

But politics is a personal thing. For my part, even though I'm wary of what a Harper majority could possibly do I'm supporting him because I think he'd be a better government than the others. I would definitely not appreciate my union taking more money off me so they could support Ignatieff.

And three million bucks is a sizable amount in a provincial election. One wonders where all those people who are so strongly opposed to the rich, entitled interests interfering in elections are with this. Clearly this is an entitled group wanting to use their funds to influence the election to their own benefit and profit. Isn't that something we have said, as a society, we don't believe in?

[Shady]

The teachers union has quite the racket going. The use public money to elect leaders that will keep their pay and benefits high. And in return, the leader that scratches their back, gets the teachers union money and support. Tony Soprano would be proud.

[mikedavid00]

The teachers union has quite the racket going. The use public money to elect leaders that will keep their pay and benefits high. And in return, the leader that scratches their back, gets the teachers union money and support. Tony Soprano would be proud.

Exactly.

And this is why Unions are pampered and promoted by the gov't.

Public worker unions should be against the law. We already have worker rights in our legal code. They don't need to form a union and cry for more more MORE.

[Shwa]

The teachers union has quite the racket going. The use public money to elect leaders that will keep their pay and benefits high. And in return, the leader that scratches their back, gets the teachers union money and support. Tony Soprano would be proud.

Suck it up buttercup. Our society is based on "rackets" and if you want to be the first to challenge the freedom of association, please let us know how that works out in the courts for you.

[Michael Hardner]

A healthy and professionally staffed education system is the cornerstone to a healthy society and Ontario teachers are at the top of the charts in this regard, IMO.

[guyser]

..Ontario teachers are at the top of the charts in this regard, IMO.

But sadly their bosses are on the low rung of the charts, and therein lies the problem.

[bloodyminded]

But politics is a personal thing. For my part, even though I'm wary of what a Harper majority could possibly do I'm supporting him because I think he'd be a better government than the others. I would definitely not appreciate my union taking more money off me so they could support Ignatieff.

I think a lot of people can sympathize with this point. For many people, voting is not always and only (and often never) about one's own material personal interests.