Where do the federal election candidates stand on postsecondary education?

April 7, 2025/in Uncategorized/by Tracy Cochrane

Here’s a rundown of each party’s platform on higher education

https://universityaffairs.ca/news/where-do-the-federal-election-candidates-stand-on-postsecondary-education

Equal Pay Day 2025

April 7, 2025/in Did you know?, Labour Movement, OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

Each year, the Equal Pay Coalition (EPC) designates a day that represents the amount of extra time the average woman must work to catch up to what the average man earned in the previous year. This year, the designated Equal Pay Day (EPD) in Ontario is Thursday, April 10th, symbolizing the fact that a woman will work 15.5 months to earn pay equal to a man’s annual salary. Although pay equity is the law in Ontario, women continue to earn almost 30% less than men on average. This pay gap affects women of all ages and education levels. Black and racialized women, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ women, and women living with disabilities face the greatest wage disparity.

The EPC is comprised of dozens of unions, women’s groups and community organizations seeking to end gender pay discrimination and close the gender pay gap through legislation, collective bargaining, and social initiatives. OSSTF/FEESO is a member of the EPC and, as part of this coalition, we continue to urge the Ontario government to make meaningful changes to pay equity legislation and to remove other systemic gender barriers that lead to the wage gap.

On April 10th, to highlight Equal Pay Day, the EPC is hosting a hybrid “Lunch and Learn” from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. at the Centre for Social Innovation (192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto) and on Zoom. To open the event, EPC will have economist Armine Yalnizyan, who will address the gender impact of the current economic context. This will lead into a panel discussion presentation from frontline workers in public and private sectors that are being affected by the US tariffs. The event will conclude with an organizing workshop with organizer extraordinaire Pam Frache from Justice for Workers.

OSSTF/FEESO encourages members to take part in this event over their lunch break. If you’re planning to join, please register through Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link and confirm your attendance:

Equal Pay Day Lunch & Learn on Thursday, April 10th, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/equal-pay-day-free-lunch-learn-tickets-1303282465939?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us in amplifying the Equal Pay Coalition’s message on Equal Pay Day! We encourage all OSSTF/FEESO members to take part by visiting Equal Pay Coalition (https://equalpaycoalition.org/), following them on Bluesky @equalpaycoalition.bsky.social and on Instagram @equalpaycoalition, and sharing videos featuring women in the care economy. You can also add the Equal Pay Day logo to your social media accounts to show your support. Stay tuned to OSSTF/FEESO’s social media channels for more ways to take action on Equal Pay Day! #EqualPayDay #EqualPay

If you require additional information, contact Samantha Wilson at the Provincial Office at samantha.wilson@osstf.ca.

Expert advice for spring cleaning your finances

April 7, 2025/in Uncategorized/by Tracy Cochrane

The days are getting longer, the weather is finally warming up, and the end of another school year is on the horizon. Yes, spring is here, the season of new beginnings and fresh starts. But spring isn’t just a time to clean out your closets – it’s a great time to declutter your finances, too!

Here are a few ways to help you spring into action and make your money work harder for you.

• Check in on your financial situation. Life events like marriage, children, or retirement can significantly alter your budget and goals. That’s why it’s a good idea to review your financial situation to ensure your investment plan remains aligned with your current situation.
• Review your mortgage options. Whether you’re looking for your first mortgage or coming up to renewal time, navigate the changing mortgage landscape with expert guidance and exclusive rates. Plus, you may also qualify for a cash bonus of up to $500*. Speak to an Educators mortgage agent today: https://bit.ly/427jxDK.
• File your tax return early. By getting your taxes done early, you’ll ensure any benefits remain uninterrupted and receive any refund, faster. Expecting a refund? Here’s how to make the most of it: https://bit.ly/4jfbBY8.

For a full list of financial ‘to-dos’ this spring, check out this article: https://bit.ly/41R4b7y.

Ready to give your finances a spring clean?

Schedule a financial review with an Educators financial advisor to help you tidy up your finances. With nearly 50 years of experience working with educators like yourself, their professional accreditation will help you keep on track to meet your goals.

Visit https://bit.ly/427jxDK or call 1.800.263.9541 to get started today.

Educators Financial Group has been offering financial planning and a wide selection of investing and lending products and services exclusively to education members and their families since 1975. It is this strong history that has enabled them to become the education community’s financial specialist — empowering educators to achieve their financial goals.

* Conditions apply. Speak to an Educators Financial Group Mortgage Agent for full details. Brokerage License 12185.

Registration Now Open: 10th Annual ONABSE Provincial Conference

April 7, 2025/in OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

The Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE) has opened registration for its 10th Annual Provincial Conference, scheduled for Friday, May 30^th, and Saturday, May 31^st, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel—Toronto Airport.

https://osstfupdate.ca/2025/03/31/registration-now-open-10th-annual-onabse-provincial-conference/

Election Readiness

April 7, 2025/in Education in Politics, Labour Movement/by Tracy Cochrane

The Upcoming Federal Election in Canada: Why It Matters for OSSTF Union Members

As prepared by and with thanks to Brock University Support Staff

https://d35brockosstf.ca/election-readiness/

Pink Shirt Day

February 26, 2025/in Uncategorized/by Tracy Cochrane

The Pink Shirt Day Story

In 2007, Berwick, Nova Scotia, after a new student at their school was bullied for wearing a pink shirt, two grade 12 students bought 75 pink shirts and encouraged their classmates to wear pink. The next day they went to distribute the shirts and to their surprise the majority of students arrived wearing pink! With that act of kindness, Pink Shirt Day was born.

In recognition of the Berwick event, Nova Scotia proclaimed the second Thursday of September “Stand Up Against Bullying Day.” In 2008, British Columbia proclaimed February 27th to be the provincial anti-bullying day, and the movement has continued to grow. In 2012, the United Nations declared May 4 as Anti-Bullying Day. The last Wednesday each February is Canada’s officially-recognized national Pink Shirt/anti-bullying day.

Many countries recognize specific days for raising awareness about the prevention of bullying and promoting kindness and inclusion. In Canada, many students have heard the Pink Shirt Day message from kindergarten through to their high school graduation. The movement continues to grow

https://pinkshirtdaycanada.ca/#Story

World Day of Social Justice

February 20, 2025/in Did you know?/by Tracy Cochrane

https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day

WRLC Political Action Conference

February 20, 2025/in Did you know?, Labour Movement, Provincial Election 2025, WRLC/by Tracy Cochrane

February 22, 2025 at
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM ESTETFO Waterloo Office610 Wabanaki DriveKitchener, OntarioN2C2K4

In today’s economy, workers are facing many challenges, including:

Not being able to afford necessities
Not having a pension
Not having access to employment insurance

The Workers Together campaign calls for a better deal for workers and for large corporations to be held accountable.

This day-long training session will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to get involved in the Workers Together campaign. You will learn about workers’ issues, the campaign’s goals, and how to act

https://waterloolabour.ca/events/wrlc-political-action-conference/

Get Out the Vote – Member Engagement and Communication During the Provincial Election

February 14, 2025/in Education in Politics, Labour Movement, OSSTF, Provincial Election 2025/by Tracy Cochrane

Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario have called a provincial election for Thursday, February 27, 2025, a full 16 months prior to the legislated fixed election date set for June 2026.

OSSTF/FEESO is strongly encouraging members to pay close attention to this election and make sure you VOTE to fix public education before or on election day, February 27. The party who forms the next government will be across the table in the next round of bargaining for those Members covered by the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act (SBCBA). The new government will determine how education in Ontario will be funded for the next four years, from the early years through to post-secondary.

Your union has undertaken work to better engage and communicate to members about the provincial election at both the local and provincial levels. In some ridings, local leaders and member organizing teams have been canvassing and communicating with members using various means to keep you informed about the election and to encourage you to consider voting for candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting public education.

As we approach election day, Members can expect to receive communications by phone, text, and/or email from the Provincial Office about advance polls and to remind Members to vote on election day. Communications you receive will depend on whether we have updated contact information in our database.

We are also encouraging members to take a Me + 3 approach to voting – bring three other people with you to vote either at an advance poll or on election day.

You can find out more about the provincial election by going to Vote to Fix Public Education, our on our website, including OSSTF/FEESO resources, a comparison of party education platforms, and information on how to vote from Elections Ontario on our page.

For more information, you can email campaigns@osstf.ca.

Get to Know the Candidates!

February 12, 2025/in Education in Politics, Provincial Election 2025/by Tracy Cochrane

The Pink Shirt Day Story

Contact