Bill 115

Your Federation

More than 150 people braved cold rainy days and Toronto traffic to attend the May Representative Council meeting this year.

Building from Strength (From the President)

Sam Hammond

While this past year was extremely challenging, it has also been incredibly inspiring and galvanizing.

Standing Strong Delivers Fairness and Equity to ETFO Members (From President)

Sam Hammond

I’d like to begin the last column of this school year by saying a big thank you to our members. This has been a very challenging year of contract discussions with the government. It has also been incredibly powerful and inspiring.

Enjoying Your Weekend? Thank the Union

Vivian McCaffrey

ETFO members have spent the last year standing up for the right to engage in free collective bargaining. In the process, we experienced some rude awakenings: a Liberal government that betrayed a decade-long relationship with education professionals and a growing bias against unions. The broader context of this experience helps us to both better understand the anti-union sentiment and fight against it.

Your Federation

Teachers rally at the Liberal Leadership Convention

Upholding Our Rights (From the General Secretary)

Gene Lewis

For educators, the decision to participate in extracurricular activities has always been voluntary. Teachers choose to participate because they are passionate about their students and are committed to creating positive and healthy learning environments.

The Way Forward: Putting Words into Action

Sam Hammond

The past year of negotiations has been a difficult one, but ETFO members have continued to stand strong and, through their solidarity, demonstrate that we are a force to be reckoned with.

Eroding Democratic Principles at Queen's Park

Vivian McCaffrey

The last year has been a tumultuous one for education Politics in Ontario and one that has seen democratic rights and principles die on the altar of political expediency.

Charter Challenge (Your Federation)

On October 11, 2012 ETFO filed a court challenge against the Ontario government’s Bill 115 on grounds that the law, which strips the education sector of its right to bargain collectively, violates rights set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.