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It’s Not Just About the Kids
A little competition is good for the teachers’ unions. Looks like it will be an exciting race to see which union gets to organize all those new ECEs that are just ripe for the picking come September when all-day kindergarten starts in Ontario.
Read this letter from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association President to members which provides the “facts and insight into the reasoning behind the decision by the Provincial Executive to recommend that OECTA organize early childhood educators (ECEs) into Association bargaining units.” The letter goes on to say, “The ELKP creates jobs for teachers. At OECTA’s Beginning Teachers conference on February 19, Premier Dalton McGuinty told 350 teachers that, ‘five years from now, there will be over 3,500 more JK and SK teachers as a result of this new program.’”
One of their biggest concerns is that class sizes will increase again. According to former education Minister Wynne, class sizes will increase under the new program. IF class size is SO important, and they have just spent the last two years bragging about its success, why are they negating its effects? Because with declining enrolments it’s about jobs, jobs, jobs.
This is the union stance here, here, and here. This is the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) list of questions and concerns. You can hear their president at this link talk about how they successfully lobbied to make sure that their members were well represented.
Any one who thinks that the all-day kindergarten day care was about kids should think again. Let the games begin.