Annual Meetings of Education Unions: Challenges Facing Teachers and Education WorkersThe Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association will hold their annual general meetings on March 13 to 16. [As this paper went to press, it was announced on March 12 by both OSSTF and OECTA that due to concerns regarding the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, their annual meetings that were to be held in Toronto in the coming days have been postponed -- WF Ed. Note.] Thousands of delegates from around the province will discuss and debate issues of concern. The meetings take place in the midst of ongoing strike actions of teachers and education workers in the K-12 and adult education systems whose unions have been trying to negotiate new contracts for their members. They are up against a government determined to rule by regulation using its prerogative powers to impose what it wants in defiance of public opinion and research, and which refuses to uphold its social responsibility for the welfare of the youth and the modern right of education for all. The meetings are also taking place in advance of the release of a budget by the Ford government and on the heels of the election of a new leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario, Stephen Del Duca, who some claim represents a "shift to the right" for that party. On the minds of many teachers and education workers is how to advance their ongoing and persistent fight for their right to negotiate their wages and working conditions and solve the problems plaguing the education system in Ontario under the circumstances of a government-led anti-social offensive. The teachers and education workers have taken up the challenge to be the front line of defence against the wrecking of public education and have made great strides in overcoming divisions among their unions and those in different job categories. The work they all do is vital for ensuring that the youth are educated and safe in both mind and body. The one-day united picket lines of teachers and education workers across the province on February 21 is a sign that the divisions of the past fueled by the cartel party system no longer suffice to keep this movement in check and fighting among itself rather than using its collective strength to ensure its demands are met. Workers' Forum has full confidence that, through their deliberations and independent organizing, teachers and education workers in Ontario will continue to advance and make a great contribution to strengthening society and the modern right of education for all at the highest level.
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