OSSTF/FEESO Teachers in Rainbow District Ready to Strike

SUDBURY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 10, 2015) - The Teacher and Occasional Teacher Bargaining Units in OSSTF/FEESO District 3, Rainbow, will begin legal strike action on Monday, April 27 if local collective agreements are not reached with the Rainbow District School Board.

"Our members have been extremely patient given the expiry of their collective agreements in August of 2014. The demands of their jobs have done nothing but increase while the employer refuses to address their concerns in any meaningful way at the bargaining table. A wholesale change in the employer's approach will be required to prevent a full withdrawal of services," said James Clyke, District President.

OSSTF/FEESO Vice President Harvey Bischof, Chair of the District 3 negotiating teams, said, "As always, our goal is to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement with the Board. But our members' frustration is growing and they have given their bargaining teams an overwhelming mandate with the strike votes taken in the fall. The Board's complacency and indifference to our interest in renewing our collective agreements has done nothing but exacerbate our concerns."

"Our members' patience is now wearing thin. At this point, though, we continue to hope the employer responds appropriately and we remain ready to negotiate at any time in an effort to prevent disruption," continued Bischof.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.