Daily Updated Teacher News Links!

[This news link blog covers the week of August 13th to August 20th. The Cuban School Project reports have been edited out and placed into my August 22 blog.]

Sunday August 18: 

In the News:

OSSTF reiterates plans to continue with local bargaining this fall: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/legislation-not-required-local-negotiations-continue-1692060.htm

Ontario Public School Boards Association opposes legislation but read why: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1022447/legislation-does-not-put-students-first

Bruce-Grey Catholic Board seeks conciliation after one day of talks with local OECTA unit: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2012/08/17/teachers-trustees-blast-provinces-plans-to-legislate-contract-terms

Know Thy Enemy: Neo Con Toronto Sun rubs its hands in glee at anti-McGuinty Liberal prospects in September by-elections: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/17/the-by-elections-of-envy

Are only too pleased to report on teacher union-Liberal Party split: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/18/its-mcguinty-versus-ontario-teachers

Here they go full tilt with their Neo Con agenda. Expect a lot more of this: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/18/ontario-teacher-wars-are-back

Toronto Sun also interviews "individual teachers", a common strategy from years past. Seems friendly at first, but with tiime they will increasingly highlight those who are at odds with their union positions to discredit us and push for decertification. It's happened before! It will happen again! Just be aware! There are a lot of "wolves in sheep's clothing" just circling around out there in [s]Tory land waiting for a big Wisconsin style union kill. A teacher movement, as in the Harris years, needs to choose it's allies carefully. All will not be as it seems. See:
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/18/fighting-anti-teacher-blowback

Saturday August 17: 

People for Education summarize main points of new legislation seemingly quite well:
http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/pfe-news/whats-in-the-proposed-education-legislation/

More in the battle of words: The MOE press release on the Putting Students First Act: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/12.08/bg0816a.html

Principals oppose legislation, but don't fully mention why! See earlier blogs for more details on their request to assign us more on calls, and their opposition to new fair hire and assessment clauses!!!! Meanwhile:
http://bl165w.blu165.mail.live.com/default.aspx#!/mail/ViewOfficePreview.aspx?messageid=a7309eac-e929-11e1-847f-00237de46188&folderid=00000000-0000-0000-0000

For info on possible legal challenges to new legislation see: http://bl165w.blu165.mail.live.com/default.aspx#!/mail/ViewOfficePreview.aspx?messageid=a7309eac-e929-11e1-847f-00237de46188&folderid=00000000-0000-0000-0

Toronto Star article with comments from all three party views on new legislation:
http://m.thestar.com/article/1243328--dalton-mcguinty-won-t-risk-minority-government-over-teachers-wages

Author of new book on education history comments on our Ontario system. Interesting! See:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/back-to-school/how-the-school-system-got-to-be-the-way-it-is/article4487114/

Education Minister Broten hits by-election hustings in K-W defending legislation. Expects work to rule and no extra-curricular activities by public unions this fall: http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/782838--broten-praises-wage-freeze-bill

US Education Week blog comments on Ontario labour relations: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2012/08/ontario_leaders_teachers_union.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-TW

Sunday August 19th:

In the News:

Premier McGuinty says teacher legislation won't be considered a non confidence vote and hints at August 26 recall of Queen's Park. Conservative Leader Tim Hudak still concerned about lack of grid freeze:

The Globe reports: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bill-to-impose-teachers-contract-will-not-be-a-confidence-motion-mcguinty-says/article4485704/?cmpid=rss1&utm_source=dlvr.i

The Star reports: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1243199--mcguinty-says-bill-to-impose-teachers-contract-will-not-be-a-confidence-motion#.UC55

ETFO AGM 2012 finishes. Ipad/ Mobile Speech videos available of guest speaker NDP's Andrea Horwath and ETFO President Hammond among others. See: http://annualmeeting.ca/?page_id=75

Thursday August 16: 

In the News:

Details of Liberal legislation released today! School strikes could be banned for 2 years, and new contracts imposed, if not reached by Jan 1st. New OLRB limits. Road map will be imposed if separate affiliate deals not reached by Sept. 1st.

Globe + Mail reports: See: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-liberals-unveil-details-of-threatened-legislation-to-freeze-teachers-pay/article4484298/

CBC reports: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/08/16/toronto-laurel-broten-teachers.html?cmp=rss

People for Education release thoughtfully considered view on current Ontario education crisis, with request everyone keep student's best interests in mind, and continue to work together. See: http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/pfe-news/the-truth-about-the-crisis-in-education/

Wednesday August 15:

In the News:

ETFO survey claims public supports teachers in MOE contract dispute. President Hammond critiques Minister's recent figures. See: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs045/1109381114937/archive/1110738735558.html

NDP party leader Andrea Horwath hits the hustings for votes in Kitchener Waterloo by election. Public school boards would seem to support her critique of Liberal deadline for MOE MOU. See: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs045/1109381114937/archive/1110738735558.html

Public trustees press release critizes OECTA PDT "road map". Claim it will won't be good for students because of fair hire and increased teacher voice in assessment clauses. Ho boy! See: http://www.opsba.org/index.php?q=news/school_boards_protect_students039_rights

Conservatives on by election warpath with expose of Liberal public service pay performance bonuses. Attack Liberals for giving teachers raises 4 years ago. Want across the public sector pay freeze to apply to all public service employees and administrators too. See: http://www.opsba.org/index.php?q=news/school_boards_protect_students039_rights

Toronto Star article on McGuinty promise to review all civil service pay bonuses. Claims Conservatives will use issue to increase by-election leverage and party donations:  http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1242159--dalton-mcguinty-wants-to-review-bonus-pay-system-for-civil-service-managers#.UCv5xlWo5pU.twitter

Toronto Sun article stirs up strike issue debate claiming ETFO can still stage one day protest strike should Liberals move forward with legislation in September, despite assurances to the contrary. See: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/14/contract-chaos

Tuesday August 14: 

Polls showing Liberals taking the lead in Vaughan by-election, the Conservatives in Kitchener Waterloo:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1241559--ontario-liberals-supported-in-vaughan-but-lose-ground-in-kitchener-waterloo-new-polls-show

CBC reports on Minister's Monday's press release with statements from Conservatives and NDP:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/08/13/toronto-ontario-teachers.html

OSSTF refutes Education Minister's Monday statement, claims she is purposefully "creating a crisis in education": http://www.osstf.on.ca/MR-Aug-13-2012

Toronto City News report focus' on how MOE will reduce days retired OT's can teach: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/219442--province-to-limit-number-of-supply-days-retired-teachers-can-take

Is reduction of retired OT supply days really anything new? See Pensionwise pg 8 from summer 2010:
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Principals+concerned+about+deal/7080850/story.html

OECTA President Kevin Dwyer questions how boards can be opposed to fair hiring practices, claims nepotism is widespread across province. The Windsor Star reports: http://www.windsorstar.com/Grits+pledge+fair+hiring+teachers/7085772/story.html

Out in Mike Harris [s]Tory land, North Bay Nugget reports Nipissing Conservative MPP assures Near North District public school board he supports wage freeze but wants grid freeze too: http://www.windsorstar.com/Grits+pledge+fair+hiring+teachers/7085772/story.html

Windsor public Principals and VP's oppose fair hiring practice and limits on teacher on calls: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Principals+concerned+about+deal/7080850/story.html

Monday August 13: 

OECTA Provincial meeting with TSU/TECT membership August 22 to discuss and answer questions on MOU. More details forthcoming through the main office and your staff reps!!!
Further meeting to follow at later date.

MOE targets OT's and new teachers on benefit of changes. I'm not sure where the increased retirment numbers come from. Retired teacher OT days cut from 90 to 50 reference included. See: http://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2012/08/more-opportunities-better-supports-for-young-teachers.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=o

MOE update on PDT time line to Aug. 9th: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/12.07/bg0730.html

A reprinted Moe NTIP news piece. Was added by MOE with above info. Why now? Some special significance? Maybe, maybe not. See: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teacher/induction.html

Canada Press places new teacher focus in context of MOE's fair hire practices. OSSTF, Conservatives and NDP replies: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-liberals-target-younger-teachers-in-labour-battle/article4478538/

ETFO's Sam Hammond sees press release as an attempt to pit new teachers against old: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/contract-road-map-an-attack-on-public-sector-ontario-teachers-union-head-says/article4479753/

Sunday August 12:

Seems like a slow news day folks! I've added any additional links to my Saturday update below:

Saturday August 11:

Some primary documents:

Here's the text of the AEFO MOU in English: http://www.controlyourfuture.ca/wp-content/uploads/MOU-MEDU-AEFO-aug-9-2012.pdf

Here it is in French: http://www.controlyourfuture.ca/wp-content/uploads/MOU-MEDU-AEFO-aug-9-2012-F.pdf

Here's the Education Minister's letter to the school boards. Note her comments on fair hire practice and
teacher assessment of students: http://www.whoisinchargeoftheschoolhouse.com/2012/8/11/letter-sent-to-trustees-by-minister-broten

Here's a convenient link to the Ontario Labour Relation's Act [1995]:http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_95l01_e.htm#s73s1

Here's a link to the OECTA PDT MOU again, for easy cross referencing: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/incoming/read-the-agreement-between-ontario-and-the-catholic-teachers/article4393004/

PDT Articles:

Trustees respond to Broten letter. This Star articles lists the MOEs $$$ estimates on how much each board stands to lose if contracts roll over: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1240546--school-boards-will-pay-price-if-there-s-no-deal-laurel-broten-says#.UCZSgz0ZoHK.twitter

More trustees response from the Ottawa Citizen: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Ontario+government+playing+blame+game+school+board+trustees/7074142/story.html

Dufferin Peel Catholic Elementary teachers facing conciliation, prepare for strike vote: http://www.mississauga.com/news/article/1469759--elementary-school-teachers-threaten-strike

ETFO President Sam Hammond restates views of road map as "unacceptable":
http://www.saultstar.com/2012/08/10/teachers-union-balks-at-road-map

Political Activity + Related Articles:

ETFO President meets with NDP's Andra Horwath. They discuss upcoming by-elections:
http://www.controlyourfuture.ca/etfo_news/president-hammond-meets-with-leader-of-the-provincial-ndp/

Andrea Horwath to speak Aug. 14th at EFTO AGM: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1019273/2012-elementary-teachers-federation-of-ontario-annual-meeting

Premier McGuinty spends Friday in Kitchener Waterloo election hustings again, where main issue remains teacher wage fight. Premier says legislation will be based upon OECTA road map. Calls for input from other parties: http://www.saultstar.com/2012/08/10/teachers-union-balks-at-road-map

Canada Press article on Conservative and NDP response to Premier:  http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mcguinty-won-t-take-no-for-an-answer-with-teachers-wage-freeze-1.909831

Globe Editorial warns of anti-union Conservative, not an NDP government, should the Liberal's fall
as a result of teacher's actions: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/timing-of-by-elections-should-give-ontario-teachers-pause/article4475531/

More election speculation on Kitchener Waterloo and Vaughan. This is sort of starting to remind me of 1995. Let's hope cooler minds prevail: http://www.therecord.com/opinion/columns/article/778518--mcguinty-faces-misery-if-liberals-lose-byelections

Beware! The anti teacher "union thuggery" news propaganda campaign is gearing up again big time in the mainstream press!

AEFO signs MOU!

FRIDAY A.M.: LATEST NEWS LINKS NOW ALSO ADDED BELOW PHOTO: Includes Franco school boards' claim that they reject AEFO deal, and reports about OSSTF meeting with MOE on Wednesday. 

Thursday morning 9:30: I'm headed to the Media Room in the Queen's Park legislature for a press conference with Ontario's Minister of Education, Laurel Broten. It's on a reader's tip. Somethings up. Nobody is quite sure but by late yesterday the rumours were that the MOE and AEFO had reached an agreement. Outside it's overcast and drizzling, but pleasantly warm. I arrive to a near empty room. A few camera and sound men are setting up as the reporters and guests arrive.

The Education Minister arrives enters promptly at 10 a.m. with two attaches. They stay by the door. Laurel personally greets the guests in a warm but business like manner and says hello to the press. She knows them by name. The guests include Stuart from AEFO. A few observers from OSSTF and ETFO, most of whom I've met. Others say they recognize me from my blog. There's also a lone Conservative member who's come to observe. I don't see anyone else from OECTA. I've known and worked with Laurel for many years, and today, I am here on my own, not in an official capacity. It's a very sparse group. I wait to say hello to Laurel until after the press conference is over.

The Minister announces that the MOE has reached an MOU with AEFO [the french teachers union]. It's based upon the OECTA "road map". An attache hands out copies of the press release. I look it over as the Minister speaks. At first brush, it seems pretty much the same as ours. The Minister points out that it is, except for a few minor differences, with their LTD arrangements, and to make a few french language accommodations.

Education Minister Broten notes that the ministry has now reached MOU's with teachers from about 50% of the province's schools. She mentions OECTA, AEFO, and is pleased that the TCDSB is on board too. She says she looks forward to also reaching agreements with EFTO and OSSTF very soon. She explains that she believes she has given them enough time to bargain locally. The Liberal government will recall Queen's Park and legislate the PDT agreement into effect by the end of month if no agreement is reached. She claims the provincial government can't afford to let the previous contract roll over, if new ones aren't in place by August 31st. She says the province can't give the teachers a 5.5% raise. She repeats the Premiers messaging that we will have to put the pay raises on "pause" for the next while, so the the province can deal with the deficit while keeping caps on class size. Also to keep the all day kindergarten program in place.

She then turns her attention to the province's trustees. She points out they have inaccurate information on fair hire and assessment as it has been worded in the OECTA agreement. She encourages the trustees to actually read the OECTA PDT MOU. She is quite blunt about this and spares no punches. The MOE wants there to be fair, open and transparent fair hiring practices equally in effect across the province. The MOU doesn't say that teachers don't have to do any diagnostic testing. There will be a PPM shortly forthcoming to further clarify the assessment issue. She explains that teachers know their students best. Our professional judgement also needs to be recognized in the student assessment process.


Education Minister Broten is hard as steel, very firm, poised and on top of her game. Her somewhat insecure demeanour the last time we met, at the March OECTA AGM 2012 seems long gone, replaced by a grim determination befitting of her position, as is the business skirt and jacket she is wearing today. Like it or not folks, she seems to have hit her stride.

During question time she is grilled real hard by the press but sticks to her messaging. She refuses to address the legislation issue any further at this time. She will not speculate on the prospect of whether it could be considered a confidence vote, nor the prospects for a provincial election this fall. She will deal with that when the time comes. She emphasizes the need for the school boards to work at having contracts in place by September.She had nothing further to say about these issues at this point in time.


I personally said goodbye to Minister Broten as she left the legislature. She noted she is very proud how OECTA and the MOE were able to work out an agreement, and that the TCDSB, the largest Catholic board in the province, has committed themselves to it for our local contract negotiations.

I always strive to provide honest, balanced coverage in my reporting, regardless of my own teacher and union points of view. So I must say, I sensed that she is on a roll, and grimly determined to see it through. In all fairness, the score would seem to be MOE 2, and the unions 2. A tie? OSSTF and ETFO are the 2 largest teacher affiliates. Still, with the TCDSB on side, she seems to have the momentum right now heading towards the homestretch. I'm pretty sure she knows it but is not about to let down her guard. As Education Minister she has certainly hardened and is not quite the Laurel I've known for the past ten years or so. Still, the consistency of character is there. I think she honestly believes that what she is doing is absolutely necessary. I'd be willing to bet she isn't going to back down come hell or high water. Between now and August 31st is a lifetime in politics. Let's see what happens next.

Education Minister Broten announces the MOE AEFO MOU at Queen's Park today. A hat's off to those of you who have said that you saw me on the t.v. reports today. ;-)

NEWS LINKS:

Francophone school board announcement rejecting AEFO agreement because they were cut out of the deal:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-francophone-school-boards-reject-union-deal/article4472807/

Here is the English translation of the AEFO announcement. French text link is below it on AEFO page:
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=IE8Activity&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aefo.on.ca%2F%2FNouvelles.aspx%3FSID%3DE6A8224D-381A-4174-AA95-FF16F1A6C64F%26NewsID%3DwiuaH4C0%2FeAueYv3mDat2g%3D%3D

Here is the AEFO Press Release: http://www.aefo.on.ca/Docs/2012_AUG09_PRESS_Agreement.pdf

Here's a Canadian Press report on the announcement: http://www.cp24.com/news/deal-reached-with-francophone-teachers-union-1.908615

McGuinty responds to protest on Windsor visit. Also to ETFO President Sam Hammond on MOE deadline: http://www.ourwindsor.ca/2012/08/mcguinty-and-duncan-tour-local-school-protesters-oppose-legislation-for-teacher-contracts/

Ottawa Citizen article reports OSSTF and ETFO not about to budge over announcement of AEFO deal:
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/777633--catholic-board-won-t-back-province-s-deal-with-teachers

Here is a Star report on the "inaccurate information" that raised the Minister's ire during her speech:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/education/article/1239086--catholic-teacher-deal-could-affect-student-achievement-school-boards-say

A London Free Press report on trustee complaints also includes quote from Broten that she was meeting with Ontario public high school teacher union on Wednesday. [must be OSSTF?]:
http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/08/08/20082111.html

London OSSTF D11 President responds to London Free Press columnist's teacher attack:
http://www.lfpress.com/comment/2012/08/09/20086216.html#.UCUjaFhymTY.facebook

A Local London OECTA unit press release on the situation with their board: http://www.oecta.on.ca/wps/wcm/connect/89a2b3804c4333459630d7abab267fa8/NR-LondonDistConciliation-Aug3.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&lmod=30231023&CACHEID=89a

OSSTF President Ken Coren says OSSTF will accept pay freeze but has proposed new benefits plan and early retirement incentive to help cut costs: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/08/08/teachers-union-says-it-will-accept-pay-freeze

Local OSSTF and ETFO negotiations continue in Hamilton: http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/08/09/hamilton-teacher-negotiations.html

Hamilton Catholic board rejects PDT terms over non monetary issues:
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/777633--catholic-board-won-t-back-province-s-deal-with-
teachers

Niagara Catholic Board rejects MOE time line, will continue scheduled talks with local union this fall:
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2012/08/09/board-will-not-meet-deadline

McGuinty comments on court and party challenges to legislation imposing contract during Kitchener Ottawa visit:
http://www.therecord.com/news/canada/article/777866--mcguinty-won-t-take-no-for-an-answer-when-it-comes-to-deals-with-teachers

This CBC report considers the prospects of a fall Ontario election. It also reports on the Conservatives and the NDP: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/08/09/toronto-teachers-broten.html

Here's the Catholic Register report on the TCDSB agreement: http://www.catholicregister.org/news/toronto-gta/item/14940-tcdsb-ratifies-labour-deal

Keep checking here for more links to come!