Unions won’t let up on Wynne
She must condemn Bill 115, they say
Ontario’s premier-designate might have opened the door to discussions with leaders of teachers’ federations but some education workers vowed to continue demonstrations until Kathleen Wynne condemns Bill 115 as undemocratic.
A rally “for democracy and against austerity” was staged outside MPP Madeleine Meilleur’s office on Montreal Road on Thursday afternoon, hours after Wynne met with outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty and Lt.- Gov. David Onley for a formal transfer of power.
Many demonstrators held printed signs that said, “If you’re a worker in Ontario, this is your fight.” One homemade sign said, “We don’t agree with your imposed agreement.”
Though the Ontario government repealed the contentious Bill 155, it was only after imposing contracts on thousands of teachers and education workers.
“That’s a joke,” said Janet Fraser, first vice-president of the Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers’ Federation.
Wynne voted in favour of the bill.
“Kathleen Wynne didn’t speak out, and she still hasn’t said that Bill 115 was wrong. It sets a precedent for all workers in Ontario. It’s not just about teachers and education workers,” Fraser said after the rally. “It’s a bad bill and it’s undemocratic. I haven’t heard her say that yet.”
During a conference call Thursday with eastern Ontario media, Wynne was vague about her plan for a resolution after an “introductory meeting” with leaders of the teachers’ federations.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Wynne said. However, she stuck to outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty’s line about austerity.
She added that everybody — including government members, school board officials, parents and education workers — wants to see the return of extracurricular activities.
“I’ve been very clear that there is no more money and that the issue of getting extracurriculars back in the schools, in the English public system, is very much a priority for me, and they know that,” Wynne said. “We’ll be continuing that discussion, and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to come to some resolutions about how we put in a better process for next time around — because that really is an issue.”
The chief negotiator for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation said he was “cautiously optimistic” about a resolution with Wynne at the helm.
“There’s been respectful dialogue, which is real change from the past,” said Chris Goodsir as the rally wrapped up outside Meilleur’s office.
Fraser added: “It’s great that she’s meeting with our leaders. Let’s see what she comes up with.”