Province-Wide Labour Solidarity Information for Members

URGENT IMPORTANT INFORMATION

There is a lot of upset, uncertainty, questions, and concerns about the Ford government’s Keeping Students in School Act legislation. The outpouring of parent, community, political, and labour support for workers has been impressive; this pressure and solidarity will be continued with the goal of forcing the Ford government to repeal the Act. As a reminder, OSSTF/FEESO teacher and education worker Members are NOT in a legal strike position and the Federation is continuing to negotiate at both the Education Worker Central Table and Teacher/Occasional Teacher Central Table. OSSTF/FEESO continues to support CUPE’s education workers and fight the unprecedented heavy-handed use of the notwithstanding clause by the Ford government. Through the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), Ontario’s labour unions are working together on a coordinated response to this unprecedented union-busting legislation. Members are strongly encouraged to attend one of the following OSSTF/FEESO Town Hall meetings with confirmation of login details to be shared on Monday. • Meeting 1 – Monday, November 7, 5:30 – 6:30pm • Meeting 2 – Monday, November 7, 7:15 – 8:15pm • Meeting 3 – Tuesday, November 8, 5:30 – 6:30pm • Meeting 4 – Tuesday, November 8, 7:15 – 8:15pm Support for CUPE-OBSCU on Monday OSSTF/FEESO Members are obligated to follow their employer’s directions, including any direction for in-person, or any form of online learning. Members are encouraged to show their support for CUPE-OSBCU education workers. Members must be aware of their obligations, especially if they are in a school board where CUPE-OSBCU staff are employed. Any disputes arising from these directions would need to be addressed through the formal grievance processes, some of which are already in progress across the province. During CUPE’s continued action, OSSTF/FEESO Members should not do any work that is normally performed by the CUPE Bargaining Unit. If asked to perform such work by the employer, Members should report this immediately to their Bargaining Unit representative. Attached, please find supporting information from the OFL to help Members understand the impact of the Act on workers in this province. Additionally, OSSTF/FEESO Members are strongly encouraged to show their support for striking CUPE-OSBCU members. Visit the following CUPE site for up-to-date information and solidarity actions – https://cupe.on.ca/dontbeabully/ In solidarity, Cheryl