More job opportunities on the way for Durham students, says MP Chisu
January 12th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Post-secondary students in Durham will soon have a better chance at landing that first job thanks to the federal government’s youth employment strategy. Pickering-Scarbourgh East MP Corneliu Chisu says synergizing numerous programs under one banner will help focus the overall goal of generating more opportunities. With an annual budget of $300-million, “YES” aims to provide students with career information and skills development, as well as finding jobs and staying employed. Click here for more information.
A deal reached in the Durham Catholic District School Board
January 11th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Education Support Staff at the Durham Catholic District School Board, and members of CUPE Local 218 have voted to ratify a 2 year provincial agreements that will protect services and students. The agreement includes better job security, better sick leave support and protection of pension contributions.
Support staff at Toronto,York,and Peel Catholic school boards ratify 2 year deal
January 11th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Office and clerical staff as well as technical and educational assistants at the Toronto, York, and Peel-Dufferin Catholic District School Boards’ have voted to ratify two-year provincial agreements that will protect services and students and prevent additional instability in schools.
OSSTF calls off job action slated for next Wednesday
January 11th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Job action scheduled for next Wednesday by the province’s high school teachers has been called off by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation. Premier Dalton McGuinty says the decision is great news for families, who have been dealing with tremendous uncertainty over the past few days. McGuinty says those involved need to remind themselves of their highest priority, which is helping children. McGuinty says the ruling against potential walkouts by the Ontario Labour Relations Board puts the remaining questions around Bill 115 before the courts, where it should be. The Premier also called on union officials to allow teachers to continue extracurricular activities.
Government challenging Ontario’s elementary teachers plan for one-day protests on Friday
January 10th, 2013 | Comments (1)
There’s word from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario that thousands of teachers will walk off the job Friday, as part of a one day protest. The move is in reaction to the Liberals imposing contracts, with Bill 115 last week. ETFO President Sam Hammond says the government made a “deliberate and provocative” choice to wipe out the democratic rights of educators rather than negotiate. The Ontario Labour Relations Board is currently hearing the provincial government’s case for a cease and desist order to stop tomorrows planned protest , which Premier Dalton Mcguinty says amounts to an illegal strike. If the board grants the order it would open the door for potential fines of up to $2,000 per person and up to $25,000 per union for those participate.
Critics slam Liberals after renewing construction group contract
January 6th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Critics are slamming the governing Liberals for renewing the contract of a construction group that they say charged taxpayers exorbitant amounts for routine work in Toronto schools. The Maintenance and Construction Skilled Trades Council’s contract with the Toronto District School Board was extended when the government imposed new 2-year contracts on teachers. The Progressive Conservatives say they can’t believe the government extended the contract after it reportedly charged $3,000 to install electrical outlets and $143 for a pencil sharpener.
Leaders representing school support workers vote on contract
January 5th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A vote is coming on Saturday, as the leaders of a union representing school support workers will vote on a tentative contract with the province. Last weekend, a tentative deal was reached with CUPE, only hours before the January 1st deadline – which would allow the Liberal government to impose contracts on teachers’ and schooling staff. If a deal is approved, it will head to union members for a final say.
Liberal government to impose new contracts on public elementary and high school teachers
January 3rd, 2013 | Comments (1)
The Ontario government has decided to play hardball with teachers. Education Minister Laurel Broten has announced the province is going to impose new contracts on public elementary and high school teachers, under Bill-115. Broten says the two year contract will freeze wages and eliminate the banking of sick days, while saving the province close to $2-billion over two years as it tries to deal with a $14.4-billion deficit. Broten says once the contracts are imposed, the government will move to repeal the controversial law. ETFO President Sam Hammond calls the move a disgraceful misuse of government power. Teachers unions have not yet said whether or not they’re planning any kind of job action, or if they’ll continue to abstain from extracurricular activities.
Kindergarten registration fast approaching, DDSB says
December 23rd, 2012 | Comments (0)
It may seem early, but The Durham District School Board is advising parents, that the date for signing kids up for kindergarten is fast approaching. Officials say registration will start on January 15th. Kids have to be 4 years old by December 31st, 2013 for junior kindergarten and 5 years old by the same date for senior kindergarten. Parents will need to call their local elementary school to pre-register their child for classes. Proof of your child’s age and proof of immunizations are also required when registering. Click here for more information.
In wake of US school shooting, Premier Dalton McGuinty calling for ‘locked door’ policy in Ontario schools
December 20th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Ontario’s Premier says it’s time for a “locked door” policy at all elementary schools. Dalton McGuinty says after last week’s horrific shooting rampage at a school in Connecticut, he’s making classroom safety a priority. He says it should cost about $10-million to equip all elementary schools with proper security features, including video cameras at the entrances, by the time classes start next fall.
Broten warns against any strike action in the new year by the province’s elementary teachers
December 20th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Education Minister Laurel Broten says any strike action by the province’s elementary teachers in the new year will be illegal. Thursday is the final day of rotating, one-day strikes by the ETFO, and union officials have said the protests may continue in January. President Sam Hammond says Bill-115 is an affront to the fundamental rights of all Ontarians. The ETFO will hold a news conference Friday to announce its next steps in the ongoing labour dispute.
Another 4,800 Elementary Teachers stage walkouts in protest of Bill-115
December 19th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Over 4,800 Elementary School Teachers with the Bluewater, Algoma, and Halton School Boards will be staging a one-day walkout Wednesday. The Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario is saying the strikes are in protest of Bill-115. The controversial legislation gives the provincial government the power to end strikes and impose a collective agreement on teachers. On Tuesday, tens of thousands of elementary students in Durham, Toronto, Peel and five other Ontario School Boards had no classes.