OECTA launches 'Teachers Matter' website to inform parents about stakes of labour dispute

Public information campaign begins as new bargaining dates confirmed

TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - With a new round of bargaining dates confirmed for this week, The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) has launched a website at Teachersmatter.ca to inform parents about the issues that could impact Ontario classrooms. 

"Parents deserve to know what's at stake in these negotiations," said OECTA President Ann Hawkins. "The way teachers are treated by the Liberal government and elected trustees affects students and the quality of public education in Ontario."

TeachersMatter.ca offers a clear overview of the bargaining issues, including the collection of student data, fair workloads, fair wages and fair hiring.

Last month, OECTA requested a "no board" report after representatives from the Liberal government and Catholic trustees refused to remove unfair conditions that would negatively impact Ontario classrooms.  Premier Kathleen Wynne recently expressed her desire to find a solution, and new bargaining dates have now been confirmed for August 12 and 13.  

OECTA members have been without a contract for more than one year, and will be in legal strike position on Aug. 17.

"We hope that Teachersmatter.ca will help parents understand that there's more at stake here than a labour disruption," Hawkins said. "We all want to reach a deal, but not at any cost to public education."

Parents are encouraged to visit TeachersMatter.ca and raise their hands in support of a fair deal for teachers. Because teachers matter. And how they're treated matters too.

Visit teachersmatter.ca to learn more about the issues.

About OECTA
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association represents more than 50,000 talented, passionate qualified teachers in Ontario's publicly funded English Catholic schools, in classrooms from JK to grade 12. OECTA cares deeply about the quality of education in our province, and we advocate for the professional and contractual welfare of our members to make sure they can focus on what they do best: teach. 

OECTA is affiliated with the Ontario Teachers' Federation, the Canadian Teachers' Federation, Education International, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

SOURCE Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association

Janine Druery, Communications Specialist, [email protected], 416-925-2493 ext. 472