With public high school teachers on a one day strike today, a local union head claims the Ford government is lying about the contract dispute.
Rich Seeley is with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, and points out claims by the education minister the government has made moves during negotiations are not true. “When Minister Lecce says they’ve brought us a new framework, he’s lying. They did not bring us anything yesterday. The government was not even in the hotel yesterday, or the day before at the deadline to strike.”
He adds other issues include class size, on-line learning and pay and benefits. Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the union is asking for $1.5-billion in pay and benefit increases.
Seeley adds the government has rejected every creative solution it has brought to the table. “We are trying to defend the system. What we’re looking for is a status quo contract, with a cost of living increase. That is not unreasonable, and I think most Ontarians are on our side.”
