Ontario Teachers Strike

guyser · August 2, 2012

He has been a teacher friendly premier. Too bad he had to stab us in the back. I will be in the picket lines come September supporting my colleagues. We look after each other.

Who is this 'us' ?

Good for you, but remember ...most will be on the picket line , but if you want to be in it and get trampled on, be my guest.

We can only pray you wont be teching any time soon. Well considering the state of teacher hires these days, you are only about 5 years away. Enough time to grow up and learn a few things about life.

Boges · August 2, 2012

In my view, because of the debt, I think EVERYONE's wages should be frozen who works for the province until time are much better and then recoup what was lost. Increase the cost of living but that's all. Anyone agree?

The Ontario PCs agree. That's what they're calling for.

socialist · August 2, 2012

Who is this 'us' ?

Good for you, but remember ...most will be on the picket line , but if you want to be in it and get trampled on, be my guest.

We can only pray you wont be teching any time soon. Well considering the state of teacher hires these days, you are only about 5 years away. Enough time to grow up and learn a few things about life.

I will be full time next spring. Bank on it. And by the way, ou spelled teaching wrong. Thank goodness you aren't a teacher if you can't even spell "teach".

guyser · August 2, 2012

I will be full time next spring. Bank on it. And by the way, ou spelled teaching wrong. Thank goodness you aren't a teacher if you can't even spell "teach".

Hmm...sorry what were you saying?

You bank on teaching next spring buttercup. I know you wont be.

MiddleClassCentrist · August 2, 2012

Today, McGuinty is saying he'll call back the government to deal with the teacher's contract, this could get ugly and the kids could be off for a while if the teachers dig their feet in and fight it. http://www.am980.ca/channels/news/local/Story.aspx?ID=1749986

This is a public scare tactic.

Teachers have no plans to start the year on strike... OSSTF President Ken Coran on CBC Radio http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/audioplayer.html?clipid=2262691312

If Teacher's start the year on strike, it's because they've been legislated to work without fair bargaining.

MiddleClassCentrist · August 2, 2012

In my view, because of the debt, I think EVERYONE's wages should be frozen who works for the province until time are much better and then recoup what was lost. Increase the cost of living but that's all. Anyone agree?

So you feel that a new teacher should be frozen at 45k/year while other teachers get paid 90k/year?

The new teacher who had their tuition doubled by Mike Harris and is still paying off debt?

If anything, we need to roll back wage gains and allow new teachers to continue moving up, IMO.

socialist · August 2, 2012

Hmm...sorry what were you saying?

You bank on teaching next spring buttercup. I know you wont be.

Well, I know I will be. It's signed, sealed, and delivered. Too bad you don't have a clue how public education works. Next.

Boges · August 2, 2012

This is going to be a fascinating story.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1236032--mcguinty-threatens-to-recall-house-to-send-teachers-back-to-work

On Sept. 1, if deals aren’t in place, all the existing contracts roll over and the teachers will all get pay hikes, said McGuinty, who signaled that is money the province, which is struggling to combat a $15-billion deficit, just does not have.
However, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPBSA) is balking at the challenge the premier has given them. It is August, many are on vacation and now the province wants the boards to reach 400 collective agreements.

So there's no way Dalton is going to let September hit without a contract in place: legislated or not. He's dropped this on the teachers head and now they have a month to do all that work.

I love the excuse that all the members are on vacation and that's why these deals can't be reached in a month though.

And to boot, the PC's think the deal the province signed with the Catholic union isn't advantageous. It still allows teachers to move up the pay scale over the two years. So what's it going to take for Dalton to get Hudak to agree to legislation? I doubt the Dippers will play ball here.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Boges

Shady · August 2, 2012

Well, I know I will be. It's signed, sealed, and delivered. Too bad you don't have a clue how public education works. Next.

No you're just lying.

Signals.Cpl · August 3, 2012

Well, I know I will be. It's signed, sealed, and delivered. Too bad you don't have a clue how public education works. Next.

Yeah, sure.... signed... you are a comedian, at least you have a viable career in comedy. When there are more teachers than positions some "teachers" don't get a job...you will be one of those.

Wild Bill · August 3, 2012

You know, there are HUGE numbers of brand new teacher graduates who can't find work, for a variety of reasons. There just aren't many positions open to them

That being said, I wonder if it would be feasible for McGuinty to emulate Ronald Reagan when he fired all the striking air traffic controllers?

It would be rough at first but how many new teachers could be hired to replace the existing ones? How quickly?

It might mean some larger class sizes at first but that is a bit of a red herring. Today's class sizes are much smaller than when many of us older folks went to school. They have been reduced not for any real benefit to the students. The Teachers Union just wanted more teachers hired!

Just a thought. When things get to the point where some of us feel we are untouchable and entitled the only way to restore a balance is with a strong reality check.

Boges · August 3, 2012

You know, there are HUGE numbers of brand new teacher graduates who can't find work, for a variety of reasons. There just aren't many positions open to them

That being said, I wonder if it would be feasible for McGuinty to emulate Ronald Reagan when he fired all the striking air traffic controllers?

It would be rough at first but how many new teachers could be hired to replace the existing ones? How quickly?

It might mean some larger class sizes at first but that is a bit of a red herring. Today's class sizes are much smaller than when many of us older folks went to school. They have been reduced not for any real benefit to the students. The Teachers Union just wanted more teachers hired!

Just a thought. When things get to the point where some of us feel we are untouchable and entitled the only way to restore a balance is with a strong reality check.

He's stuck between a rock and a hard place. I think talking tough with the teachers is something a majority of Canadians support.

But at the same time he's alienating his base. As long as Hudak keeps to the right of him here(which he's successfully doing), I doubt he'll pick up any support from the Centre-Right but he stands to lose a lot from the Centre-Left.

Where does the Working Unions . . . I MEAN . . . Working Families Coalition throw their support behind if Dalton legislates a Pay Freeze.

guyser · August 3, 2012

Well, I know I will be. It's signed, sealed, and delivered. Too bad you don't have a clue how public education works. Next.

If you live in Ontario you wont be.

See, ya need a certificate to even apply and you dont have that yet.

One thing about forums, there is always someone who knows the rules.

Wild Bill · August 3, 2012

He's stuck between a rock and a hard place. I think talking tough with the teachers is something a majority of Canadians support.

But at the same time he's alienating his base. As long as Hudak keeps to the right of him here(which he's successfully doing), I doubt he'll pick up any support from the Centre-Right but he stands to lose a lot from the Centre-Left.

Where does the Working Unions . . . I MEAN . . . Working Families Coalition throw their support behind if Dalton legislates a Pay Freeze.

Boges, I guess it depends on what position McGuinty thinks he's in, and his party as well.

I don't think they can be so naive as not to know they've pretty well run their course. No party expects to stay in forever. They are probably well aware that they've succeeded more from their opposition being an unattractive alternative.

However, if things are to the point where it just doesn't matter and they don't expect to win next time, they might look at this as a golden opportunity to do some things that SHOULD be done, even if it would hurt their own support.

I don't have a lot of respect for McGuinty's governance but I have no reason to think he not of good personal character. Once you blow away all the partisan smoke it can be surprising how many politicians are actually good people!

Getting tough with the teachers might not give him the next election but it might greatly enhance his legacy in the history books!

madmax · August 3, 2012

You know, there are HUGE numbers of brand new teacher graduates who can't find work, for a variety of reasons. There just aren't many positions open to them

School Closures and Thousands of Retired Teachers getting MAXIMUM HOURS AND WEEKS PER YEAR, acting as substitute teachers while collecting an pension and the young ones can't seem to get in the door.

And then their are all the tech shops being closed to keep costs down.

Truly sad and incompetent choices.

socialist · August 3, 2012

School Closures and Thousands of Retired Teachers getting MAXIMUM HOURS AND WEEKS PER YEAR, acting as substitute teachers while collecting an pension and the young ones can't seem to get in the door.

And then their are all the tech shops being closed to keep costs down.

Truly sad and incompetent choices.

YES!! Finally someone on this forum who understands public education.

madmax · August 3, 2012

Getting tough with the teachers might not give him the next election but it might greatly enhance his legacy in the history books!

You might be right. But who did McGuinty take to the dance? Those teachers organized and pulled off a number of skin of the teeth wins over PC and NDP candidates. Without their support the minority might have been a a "Minor" Minority or even a PC minority.

What will matter is the publics take and I think he will take on the teachers in the fall when the Kids are in school and the public will be ticked if their is even threatened strike action.

I think the difference with the Air Traffic Controllers is that their parents didn't have to come home and make arrangements for their kids when they went on strike.

That inconviences says volumes ....

However, if their is no strike or a forced agreement.....

Certainly many Teacher activists and mobilisers will stay home and some will turn to the NDP.

I think only a fool teacher would bother wasting time with Hudak because of his Wisconsin Agenda.

Which might be the difference from 95 as many teachers actually helped put Harris in Power as they were fed up with the Rae NDP previous ....And they thought they thought things would be more like when Davis was in power.

Shady · August 3, 2012

I think only a fool teacher would bother wasting time with Hudak because of his Wisconsin Agenda.

That would be nice. Soaring job creation and surplus budgets. Yeah, only fools would want that. :rolleyes:

madmax · August 3, 2012

That would be nice. Soaring job creation and surplus budgets. Yeah, only fools would want that.

Like I said, Any public servant would oppose the Wisconsin Agenda.

As for getting nit picky...

The Budget Surplus is another accounting scam. If you don't pay down your debt you can run a budget surplus and defer the costs to a later date at a higher payment, which is what Walker is doing.

Thus a "Projected" budget surplus for 2012 of 89million will actually incurred 150 Million in interest.

He can look like a Hero today and a Zero after the next election, or the next governor gets to eat the crap along with you kids.

But thats a digression....

"Therefore, in total, since May 2011, the state has issued additional debt to restructure, or make the principal payments on, approximately $558.3 million in GPR (general purpose revenue) supported principal that would have otherwise been paid off in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

"As a result, that principal will now remain outstanding for a longer period of time and thus an estimated $156.2 million in additional interest costs could be incurred by the state."

Keepitsimple · August 4, 2012

I have one more semester then I will be a public school teacher. You make an ignorant remark so you must be jealous. Public schools are changing. I want to be part of that change and have kids exposed to my views of social justice and environmental issues.

Hopefully, you won't get a job. We need teachers who can teach the carriculum - not just try and impose their views on vulnerable children. Go and work for Greenpeace and stay away from our kids.

Keepitsimple · August 4, 2012

If teachers are going to get screwed around and not be treated fairly then going on strike during the school year is the only way to et the public's attention. You don't know anything about bargaining so don't try to pretend to be an expert.

You mentioned that you have one more semester and then you want to be a public school teacher. So.....you've never taught, don';t know what it's like to be a teacher, presumably never had a job and never belonged to a union. You're a youngster who's got a lot to learn.....lets hope you start soon.

Wild Bill · August 4, 2012

Which might be the difference from 95 as many teachers actually helped put Harris in Power as they were fed up with the Rae NDP previous ....And they thought they thought things would be more like when Davis was in power.

Well, you know the typical teacher. They expect people to do what they are told. That would include any politicians they back.

MiddleClassCentrist · August 4, 2012

It might mean some larger class sizes at first but that is a bit of a red herring. Today's class sizes are much smaller than when many of us older folks went to school. They have been reduced not for any real benefit to the students. The Teachers Union just wanted more teachers hired!

Yes, today has smaller class sizes but... they also have integrated high needs students who would have been removed to remedial programs. Students are rarely suspended for any behaviour that is disrespectful to teachers and parents back their children's lies up.

Increase class sizes but bring back the integrity of discipline and it will work. Create special programs for the needy rather than slowing down everyone else.

MiddleClassCentrist · August 4, 2012

I think only a fool teacher would bother wasting time with Hudak because of his Wisconsin Agenda.

Which might be the difference from 95 as many teachers actually helped put Harris in Power as they were fed up with the Rae NDP previous ....And they thought they thought things would be more like when Davis was in power.

I've heard teachers talk (in jest) about how they'd rather be against Hudak. Because he'd draw a line in the sand against education as a whole and they'd have more backing from the public.

McGuinty is actually being really strategic. Nothing he is doing targets classroom programming, only teacher compensation. He's claiming that they need to get with the economic times but, the reality is that teachers are taking a compensation cut to fund all day kindergarten and maintain lower class sizes.