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Dear fellow substitute teachers:
They did it again. They cancelled the October 4 meeting on contract issues. The people who control the Toronto OTBU, and who called the initial Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC) meeting for September 21, then cancelled it, and then scheduled another "first" meeting of the Toronto Occasional Teachers' CBC for October 4, proceeded again to cancel it, before we got there.
Most of the members who arrived at 60 Mobile Drive, from far and wide, were informed only on arrival that the meeting had been cancelled (no reason was given). And then we were tersely told to leave the building.
Outraged members insisted on speaking to any OSSTF official about our urgent concerns -- especially the rapidly expanding OT dispatch list, the lack of work for non-pensioner substitute teachers at the TDSB, and the lack of democracy in the Toronto OTBU.
OSSTF Associate General Secretary Wendy Bolt, accompanied by OSSTF lawyer Morris Green, were present in the lobby at provincial office. But they refused to listen to members' concerns. Nonetheless, they 'heard' members complain about the lack of work and income, and about the disrespectful and undemocratic actions of Jennifer Mills and her executive. Eventually, Ms. Bolt called the police, while Mr. Green quoted the Trespass Act.
When the police arrived, they spoke to the parties and politely asked the OSSTF officials to talk to their dues-paying members. But Ms. Bolt and Mr. Green refused. So members thanked the police for their efforts to mediate, and departed without incident.
The Toronto OTBU executive, supported by Federation officials, appears to be running from concerned members. The truth is they can run, but they can't hide. They may try to hold a meeting to discuss our contract issues, our professional future, in a secret or at an even more inconvenient location. But the Substitute Teachers' Action Caucus will endeavor to keep you informed, and to be present at any meeting where members' rights and interests are at stake.
It is imperative that everyone concerned about the lack of substitute teaching work so far, everyone who cares about the need to restore rights and benefits given away in the last round of bargaining, come to the next Action Caucus meeting on Thursday, October 14, 4:30 p.m. at OISE, 252 Bloor St. West, Room 2-281, at St. George subway station.
Now is the time for members to exercise their rights, the right to participate, the right to have a say -- otherwise the next round of bargaining will leave us poorer and further dis-empowered.
Join us to support the contract demands in the Bargaining Priorities list here.And join us in calling Jennifer at 416-423-3600 or 416-281-0250 to ask the questions here.
We need answers. We need democracy now.
Contact Us: Hotline: 416 - 588 - 9090 | email: Substitute Teachers' Action Caucus