OSSTF/FEESO Members in Near North Send a Strong Message Through Strike Vote

NORTH BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 26, 2012) - Members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) District 4, Near North have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate.

The Teacher Bargaining Unit members voted 97% in favour of a strike mandate, while the Education Assistants/Professional Student Services Personnel Bargaining Unit (EA/PSSP) voted 95% in favour.

The contract between OSSTF/FEESO and the school board expired on August 31, and the taking of a strike vote is a normal part of the legal process recognized by the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA).

"I'm not surprised to see such strong support from the members," said Glen Hodgson, President of both the Teacher and Occasional Teacher Bargaining Units, in District 4. "Our members have said loud and clear that they stand behind the Federation and our ultimate goal of negotiating an agreement with the employer, despite the unnecessary passage of Bill 115."

"Our support staff members have expressed that they are behind the Federation and are opposed to the heavy handed tactics of the Minister of Education," said Eva Stopper, President of the District 4 EA/PSSP Bargaining Unit.

Provincial OSSTF/FEESO Vice President Harvey Bischof stated, "This vote is not about wanting to go out on strike. We are following the steps that are laid out in the OLRA. Our Federation will continue to follow the law when it comes to reaching agreements with the local school board, despite the McGuinty government's attempts to constantly interfere in the negotiations process."

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.