President Hammond addresses the crowd over 6,000 activists

On April 21st, ETFO members travelled from every part of the province to take part in the Ontario Federation of Labour "We are Ontario" Day of Action at Queen's Park. A sea of flags and bright orange signs reading "Respect Teachers. Respect Bargaining" dominated the Queen's Park landscape as unions and not-for-profit organizations gathered to protest the McGuinty government's austerity budget.

"ETFO members are here by the bus load today to protect our rights and to protect collective bargaining. This government has woken up a sleeping giant across the province," ETFO President Sam Hammond told more than 6,000 people. "The public service did not create this financial problem and we're not going to pay for it. Shame on the government for what they are planning to do to all Ontarians, including our most vulnerable citizens."

Members with their ETFO signs

Twenty-two ETFO locals from as far away as Ontario North East, Rainbow, Near North, Ottawa, Bluewater, Limestone, Hastings, Renfrew, Greater Essex, Kawartha Pine Ridge, and Trillium-Lakelands joined GTA-area locals at the rally. The work of local leaders in mobilizing members and organizing buses paid off as ETFO teachers formed one of the largest contingents at the event. To view more photos from the rally, visit the ETFO website.