OSSTF/FEESO Donates $500,000 to BCTF

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 19, 2014) - The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) has donated $500,000 to the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF).

OSSTF/FEESO President Paul Elliott stated, "BCTF has been through a protracted and costly battle with a government that has been trying for years to undermine teachers' bargaining rights and weaken the foundations of public education in that province. The strike in BC is over, but it has taken a great deal of resolve and sacrifice on the part of BCTF members to finally bring about a fair collective agreement."

BCTF members ratified a new collective agreement yesterday after a three-month strike, and will be back in their classrooms beginning next week.

"Our members are inspired by the tenacity and solidarity shown by BCTF members and their leadership throughout this long battle," continued Elliott. "They have won an important battle on behalf of public education in Canada, and we're pleased to be able to play a small part by alleviating some of the costs of that victory."

The $500,000 donation was approved at a meeting of OSSTF/FEESO's Provincial Council this morning. OSSTF/FEESO has now contributed a total of $625,000 to BCTF over the course of the dispute.

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.