For months, Ontario’s elementary teaching union has said its unwillingness to sign a new contract is all about protecting children and public education. That argument deflated rather seriously when the union walked away from the latest round of bargaining, with its president complaining about the province’s plan to normalize how teachers are hired.
While the idea of seniority is common once people are hired, it’s difficult to think of any other workplace where it is used as a hiring tool. The Ford government wants to fix this mess, but Hammond and his union will have no part of it. It’s not the only remaining issue, but apparently it’s more important than getting children back into schools.
The unions’ desire to set the rules for hiring is just part of a creeping takeover of management and government responsibility that began during the Liberal years. Unions have also gained a measure of control over spending priorities and the way learning is delivered. The government is clearly willing to restore much of that money and has already committed $60 million to the two unions that have signed deals. There will be money in the ultimate elementary deal, too, but for now, the union is willing to close schools over a fraction of one per cent of overall education spending.
Sixty-thousand Ontario students already choose to take online courses and the number is going up by about 17 per cent a year. The provincial plan is for courses created by Ontario teachers and Ontario teachers will be able to assist students electronically. Some people are concerned about lack of internet access, but the government will have all secondary schools fully connected by September. Students who don’t have good access at home can do their work in school.
Randall_Denley who has run twice as a candidate for the 'progressive' Cons takes the side of fordnation what a surprise. We need more resources in classrooms for the people in our schools to thrive, not less resources CutsHurtKids OttawaCitizen onted onpoli
You say it is reasonable for employees to expect seniority to be a factor in future hiring. Every teacher covered by Reg274 is already a board employee. They’ve already been hired. So they have every right to expect seniority will be a factor in moving up the ladder. onted
Turns out it’s all about control
It's the taxpayers!
What are your thoughts on Doctors and Nurses running the healthcare system? Good or bad idea?
Wow. Got that wrong on so many levels. Very one sided. Those in the know realize there are many different layers to this onion. Sam Hammond has no other ulterior motive than to defend teachers and public education. Please interview him
BooHoo, Educators don’t like it when the public rises up and doesn’t support their cause! Teachers and Unions should NOT control the education system! Unions needs to be optional or dismantled all together!
This is destabilizing to privatize. Break the system and fire the more expensive teachers; rebuild for cheap labour & profit off of private and charter schools and the mandatory e-learning. Keep your grimy hands out of education. onted onpoli cutshurtkids
Public sector unions are bad for taxpayers. When our “activist” Supreme Court rules ability to pay can’t be an argument, you have the recipe for the mess the education system is right now.
What’s the alternative here? So teachers will be paid more or hired based on their report card marks? Based on how many volunteer hours they give? Based on student and parent evaluations? That is ludicrous and will lead to lack of academic integrity.
Fire each and every one and offer their jobs to those who want them
If you follow the money you will find your answer! Hint: it may be you!
Definitely not Ford or Lecce Sflecce fordnation
You are misrepresenting how the teacher hiring regulation works. Occasional teachers ( AKA Supply Teachers) must first work for a school board as a supply teacher for 10 months at which point they become eligible to interview for a hiring pool. 1/
Time to start some 21st pilot projects in education that incorporate new technologies, largely bypassing the need for high cost teachers
Union control over Ontario’s K-12 education system is unsustainable, since they’re fighting against moderate conservative values like meritocracy, efficient use of taxpayer funds, and freedom of choice.
Teachers want to control the school system and the government
Me. I should do it. I’ll take the hit to my time if it will get all the grownups to stop acting like children.
Your move Sam
Ontario taxpayers deserve voucher education! It would put the control in the hands of parents and students.
Sure let’s have classes of 50 kids, fewer teachers that way, that’s the goal right? It takes them 11 years to reach top salary, what other job takes that long?
Maybe it’s time to pass a law and put them under a similar law as fire, ems & police where there not allowed to strike. It’s time the strikes stop and the kids stop being punished every other year. The money this union spends on advertising & political donations is ridiculous!
How about fire all the teachers. Hire more EA's and have the class taught online
Let’s have a 33 year old, private schooled PR guy and his 22 year old homeschooled PA decide what’s best for a million+ kids. Makes perfect sense, National Post.
Government isn't great, but at least it's somewhat accountable. Unions not so much.
parents
I am so glad that I don’t have to go to school there. These so-called ‘teachers’ certainly don’t put the students first.
In our area there were more snow days last year than there have been walk out days on strike this year
Well said; another perspective/aspect of the negotiation that most are not aware of. I do hope Andrea Horwath reads it and afterwards have someone other than a teacher explain it to her. Her constant unexplained photo ops have become nauseating.
It is about just that and I for one as a parent/tax payer do not want the teachers union to have complete say on it's own house rules with unlimited public money.... it just does not work!
Teachers should have the ability to opt-out of the union. Noone shod have to be a member to be employed. Freeing the teachers from the unions, is the only path to freedom
Please Denley get a grip
Definitely not fordnation and Sflecce, that's for sure. FireLecce cutshurtkids
Those who use the service should decide. Not the government. Not the union. It should be the parents that decide.
Not the unions!
It should be taxpayers and parents. Not teachers unions or politicians. Only one of those two is elected though and so by extension is understood they will meddle to some extent.
Drove by a large group of striking teachers on a major street 4 times yesterday. Not one honk in support. Doesn't feel like the unions have public on their side.
It certainly shouldn’t be teachers or their unions. That would be a conflict of interest.
fire them all Let.s start interviewing people who want the job
How about the people who pay their salaries.
FordD150
Let me guess..it should be Doug Ford ?
I know who shouldn’t. Unions.
Randall_Denley. Apparently all teachers are very professional and ethical. When they become principals, they abruptly turn unprofessional and use nepotism and favouritism and cannot be trusted with interviews. Strange that. onted onpoli ocsb oecta ottnews pcpo
Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: CBC - 🏆 32. / 63 Read more »
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »