GSA Conference
On May 11 and 12, ETFO sponsored the first-ever Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Symposium to help teachers establish GSAs for grades 7 and 8 students in public elementary schools. | ETFO members Christine, Laurie, Laura, Greg, Mia and Amanda |
"GSA groups must be supported in all schools where students or staff request them because they help ensure the safety of all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and questioning students," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "This symposium is meant to support our teachers who are dedicated to ensuring that schools are inclusive and welcoming for all students." The conference is all the more timely given the Ontario government's introduction of Bill 13 The Accepting Schools Act. The Act, which would help prevent gender-based violence and incidents based on homophobia and transphobia, calls for school boards to support organizations such as gay-straight alliances.
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Respect Teachers, Respect Collective Bargaining Campaign
This May, thousands of ETFO members are participating in a Respect Teachers, Respect Collective Bargaining campaign by sending postcards to the Premier, the Minister of Education, and their local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). Members can use the postcards to tell legislators about the impact the proposed PDT cuts will have on them personally and to demand that the Minister and their MPP respect free collective bargaining. The postcards also provide an opportunity to remind the Premier that the demands the province is currently making on teachers will destroy a partnership that has been eight years in the making. Teachers should see their ETFO steward to obtain the postcards. OTs, DECEs and ESPs will receive them in the mail at home. If you have trouble accessing the postcards, please email Lisa Mastrobuono, ETFO Collective Bargaining Communications, at [email protected]. Take this opportunity to speak out!
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