MTA demonstration at the EMSB

MONTREAL, Feb. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - Representatives of the Montreal Teachers Association will be holding a candle light demonstration outside the head office of the English Montreal School Board tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 5:30 p.m., prior to the EMSB monthly Council of Commissioners meeting at 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the demonstration is to shed light on the gap between teacher demands to improve the education system, and management offers which will reduce the possibility of student success. Armed with MTA flags and various kinds of lights, the demonstrators will be delivering a clear message to the Council of Commissioners, as well as to the Minister of Education about the need for better offers in the negotiation process.

The demonstration will culminate with a presentation to the Council of Commissioners of a comparison of teacher demands and employer offers prepared by the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers. The document underscores the lack of response by the Ministry of Education and the school boards to the serious concerns in the area of services for special needs students, and in the need for reductions in class size, reductions which Minister Courchesne announced prior to her re-election, but which she has not actually offered at the negotiations table.

For further information: Ruth Rosenfield, MTA President, [phone] before 3:30 p.m.