'We're all united', say Newmarket teachers of battle with province

For the first time today, elementary and secondary school teachers at all of York Region’s Catholic schools took part in a one-day strike

Newmarkettoday.ca
January 22, 2020
Deborah Kelly

Some Newmarket Catholic school teachers have a message for Education Minister Stephen Lecce: “We are all united as educators, regardless of what school board or what federation we belong to.”

“It’s historic,” added teacher-librarian Hedy Kowal on the picket line at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Elementary School of the unity among teachers as tension and frustration has escalated between the unions and Progressive Conservative government.

For the first time today, elementary and secondary school teachers at all of York Region’s Catholic schools took part in a one-day strike, joining their counterparts in the province’s three other major teachers unions in protesting the changes to the education system being proposed by Doug Ford’s government.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, and Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens have all been working without a contract since Aug. 31.

York Region members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario -- the largest teachers' union in the province -- held a one-day strike yesterday.

“All teachers in the province are on the same page,” Kowal added with emphasis.

“The perception is that we’re out here for a raise, that’s not even discussed,” said Kowal, with indignation in her voice.

“It’s on the bottom of our wish list,” said Susan Coker Smith, a St. Elizabeth Seton kindergarten teacher. “I think many teachers feel that if we got no raise and we got everything else, we would be happy.”

At the top of their concerns is the province’s bid to increase the number of students per class and cut services.

“We’re concerned about increasing classroom sizes -- classrooms are overcrowded now,” said special education teacher Lynda Apreda.

“We need a cap on kindergarten classes,” added Coker Smith.

“We love our students,” said Apreda, who is particularly concerned that special needs students will not get the full-time support they require -- which will ultimately have an impact on all students.

“It’s not about us, it’s the kids,” said Coker Smith. “We have to work now so that the future is brighter.”

The province’s goal to make online courses mandatory for high school students also rankles the teachers, who say it shouldn’t be forced on students as not all of them are “self-directed” learners who can succeed without the one-on-one support of a teacher.

Parents have been supportive, many dropping off coffee and baked goods, and even joining the picket line.

Cars honk to show their support as they drive by, neighbours walking by with their dogs voice encouragement.

Education Minister Lecce has continually responded that parents are frustrated by the teachers' unions job actions.

"We fully recognize the negative impacts teacher union escalation is having on families. It is why we are calling on these union leaders to end these strikes, given the adverse effects on students and financial hardship on parents," he said in a statement on OECTA's one-day strike. "While this union-led escalation happens far too often, we are committed to negotiating deals that keep students in class, while providing financial support for families for child care needs."

The province announced a child care compensation program for parents affected by the one-day strikes, and as of today, more than 171,550 applications for the subsidies of up to $60 have been received.

“It hurts,” said Coker Smith about the compensation. “I think it’s skirting the issue.”

“I think it’s a bribe,” said Apreda, adding that some parents intend to apply to then donate the money back to the school.

Faces grimace when asked if the job action is likely to convince the government it’s time to focus on finding a resolution.

“If we have to escalate what we’re doing, then we do it, because we believe in what we’re supporting, not because we’re trying to hurt students,” Apreda said.

Most students, even in kindergarten, are aware of their teachers’ battle with the province, and the local teachers say they have had to answer their questions about why their school would be closed for a day.

“We talked about how would it feel if we had five more children sitting on this mat with us today,” said Coker Smith. “And they all went, ‘Ewwwww, there’s not enough room for me now. And the bathroom -- the one bathroom we have -- the boys are fast but the girls take so long.’”

Apreda, who has a daughter in high school, added that students are also discussing the issue with their teachers.

“Most students get it, they support it.”

The province released an ad over the weekend that says teacher strikes have occurred under every government since the 1990s. “This needs to stop. #strikeshurtkids” says the ad, which Lecce has shared on his Twitter account.