Let us Bargain! Education workers tell Minister Sousa.
November
5, 2012
On Friday, November 2, ESL and Basic Skills adult educators met with
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Charles Sousa, calling on him
to advocate for them as low income, hourly paid workers and demanding
his government repeals Bill 115. Afterwards, 50 members held a spirited
demonstration outside his office at a busy intersection on Lakeshore
Road, Mississauga. Minister Sousa came out to join them and admitted
that this Bill unfairly attacks these workers who teach for the Peel
District School Board and the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board. They
are the “poor cousins” in the education system. However, Bill 115 fails
all education workers and sets a dangerous precedent for all Ontarians.
It is an unprecedented attack on free collective bargaining rights and
violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. On October 11,
Ontario’s education unions launched court challenges against the
Ontario government citing Bill 115 as unconstitutional. In spite of Bill
115, education workers are determined to bargain as usual with their
school boards.
Photos: Michael Abraham
Watch a video clip of Robyn Lambe, President of
OPSEU Local 283 outlining her members’ objections to Bill 115
On Friday, November 2, ESL and Basic Skills adult educators met with
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Charles Sousa, calling on him
to advocate for them as low income, hourly paid workers and demanding
his government repeals Bill 115. Afterwards, 50 members held a spirited
demonstration outside his office at a busy intersection on Lakeshore
Road, Mississauga. Minister Sousa came out to join them and admitted
that this Bill unfairly attacks these workers who teach for the Peel
District School Board and the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board. They
are the “poor cousins” in the education system. However, Bill 115 fails
all education workers and sets a dangerous precedent for all Ontarians.
It is an unprecedented attack on free collective bargaining rights and
violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. On October 11,
