Strike Vote by OSSTF/FEESO District 17, Simcoe Teachers Sends a Strong Message

BARRIE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 24, 2012) - Members of the OSSTF/FEESO Teacher Bargaining Unit of District 17, Simcoe have voted overwhelming in favour of a strike mandate. This Bargaining Unit includes contract teachers and continuing education teachers.

"The results of the vote send a strong message," said Ian Tudor, District 17 TBU President. "I hope as the results of OSSTF/FEESO strike votes across the province get reported that the Minister of Education is listening. This is one of the strongest mandates we have had in recent years."

The vote was 95% in favour of a strike mandate with just over 91% of members casting ballots.

Paul Elliott, Vice President of OSSTF/FEESO stated, "This vote is not about wanting a strike. It is about using our rights recognized by law to bargain a collective agreement with the employer. Our goal has always been to work out a fair and reasonable agreement with the local school board."

Tudor agrees and stated that, "the rapport we have with the trustees and senior administration at the Simcoe County District School Board is very respectable and we value the working relationship we have with them. Bill 115 Putting Students First Act removes our fundamental right to negotiate a local collective agreement with our legal employer."

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.