OSSTF/FEESO Tells MPPs to Respect Free Collective Bargaining

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 17, 2012) - Bills 92 and 94, Private Member's Bills introduced on May 16 in the Ontario Legislature, freeze rates of pay, freeze earned increases and employee benefits and freeze all movement in salary grids for all public sector employees for at least two years, and then impose wage settlements on a yearly basis. Far reaching measures that attack free collective bargaining are also included in the Bills.

"Free collective bargaining is the cornerstone of good labour relations in Canada" said Ken Coran, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO). "Over generations, workers have waged and won hard fought battles to negotiate freely. This type of legislation is an assault on workers' rights and attacks legal rights that are fundamental to Canadian society. These absolutely unacceptable proposed pieces of legislation also do nothing to improve Ontario's productivity or standing in a competitive global economy," emphasized Coran.

He further warned that "these Bills will do nothing to enhance the climate in our schools or improve the education and achievement of Ontario students. In fact, their passage or passage of similar bills would ensure disruption in schools and destroy the peace and stability that has marked the education sector for the last eight years and made Ontario's education system world renown."

"OSSTF/FEESO calls upon all MPPs to respect free collective bargaining and avoid the temptation of micromanaging all corners of Ontario from Queen's Park. Vote down the legislation," concluded Coran.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.