OSSTF/FEESO Members Vote in Favour of One Day Political Protest

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 21, 2012) - Members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) have voted in favour of conducting a one day political protest to show their opposition to Bill 115, the Putting Students First Act.

A province wide vote was taken over the past week to determine if members would support a one day walkout to show their solidarity against the passage of Bill 115 back on September 11, 2012, which was introduced by the Liberals, and supported by the Hudak Conservatives.

"The teachers and educational support staff workers of OSSTF/FEESO have sent a clear message that they oppose Bill 115 and they are willing to walk out for one day to show the Liberals and the Conservatives that they will not be intimidated by their cynical agenda to strip us of our democratic rights," said OSSTF/FEESO President, Ken Coran.

No date or locations for such a protest has been determined. Coran noted that he will need to consult the Provincial Executive and local leaders before making a decision on a protest, and it will be the actions of the Minister of Education that will inform any further course of action.

"The political protest is a tool that we can use to exercise our democratic right to speak out against Bill 115," continued Coran.

"The Minister, the Premier and the Conservatives have vastly underestimated the support of our members and of the public when it comes to opposing Bill 115. The choice is clear for the Minister; do not impose collective agreements upon our members, repeal Bill 115 and allow the negotiations process that has worked for many years to occur without interference or obstruction by the government."

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.