why are ontario residents paying one million to high school teachers' union?

[heartgirl99]

link to the article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle26900173/

basically ontario taxpayers are paying 1 million to the union to offset the costs of negotiations.
"In addition, the government financed raises for teachers by diverting money from a fund for special programs that help struggling students graduate."
"......The deal does not make clear why taxpayers are on the hook for OSSTF’s expenses. The union collects dues from its 60,000 members to pay for activities such as negotiations. Education Minister Liz Sandals’s office refused to comment on the payment."


"The document also reveals where the government found the money for a 1.5-per-cent raise and 1-per-cent lump sum payment to high school teachers. The province has repeatedly insisted the deal with OSSTF is a “net-zero,” but refused to divulge how it paid for the pay bumps.

The money came from two sources: “The available funding for secondary programming enhancement and voluntary payout of discounted net present value of future retirement gratuities provides for increases to salaries, wages and direct compensation,” the memorandum of settlement says.
Secondary programming enhancement was a pool of money set up in 2008 to hire extra staff for programs to help students at risk of dropping out. The programs offer such things as co-op work experience stints and courses that count towards college credits.
The government was supposed to add money to the fund for five years. But in 2012, the fifth year, as a cost-saving measure, the province decided not to contribute any more money. Mr. Elliott said that payment would have been about $20-million. That amount is now being used for the raise and lump sum payment."

there's a lot more in the article. my blood pressure just kept climbing as i read it

wynne has done it again!

[gryphon]

Because Wynne needs the teachers union support when she runs for re-election and doesnt care what she has to do to get it

[heartgirl99]

Because Wynne needs the teachers union support when she runs for re-election and doesnt care what she has to do to get it

.. and that's disgusting
... and she tried to do it without being seen
..... and she needs to go

[gryphon]

Whats disgusting is that the media waited to report on it till after the federal election so it wouldnt look bad on trudeau

[walkonby]

oh sneaky!!

[heartgirl99]

Whats disgusting is that the media waited to report on it till after the federal election so it wouldnt look bad on trudeau

even now, it's not getting a lot of coverage.

[gryphon]

even now, it's not getting a lot of coverage.

The media wants to wait a bit it seems so as not to associate this with trudeau. dont forget that she campaigned for him on taxpayer money

[Natalka]

Lost salaries I can understand, but not this - this really smells to high heaven!

Oh, those Liberals!

Wait, this is the government Justin Trudeau wants to model the federal government on? Oh, no!


This information should have been out before the election.

[heartgirl99]

i wonder if the elementary teachers are looking to get a million $$$$ too

Breaking News Elementary teachers to stop extracurriculars next week The union representing the teachers says it’s a way of putting pressure on the government and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association to return to the bargaining table.

[gryphon]

Whats really disgusting is that the money was supposed to go to help At Risk Students.....In other words, Wynne cares more about her own political future than the lives of many Ontario residents

[beachdown]

Anyone that appreciates education, will know teachers don't get as much credit as they deserve. If teaching was easy i.e. the education you have to go through, and dealing with other people's kids.....then everybody will be doing.

Another group that deserve a lot of credit, but does get it as much...Nurses.

[gryphon]

That doesn't change that they took money that was supposed to go to at risk students and used it to bribe the teacher's union for their support in the next election

[gryphon]

And now its come out that the Globe and Mail knew about this BEFORE the election and didnt run the story till after so it wouldnt influence the election.....This is the worst example of media bias. They actively suppressed a story to help the liberals

[Patty Smyth]

That doesn't change that they took money that was supposed to go to at risk students and used it to bribe the teacher's union for their support in the next election

You mean like the way Harper took money from EI and other contingency funds to make the budget look balanced rather than to show it as it really is , in deficit?

[beachdown]

Ah....nice one sister. You nailed it, again!

You mean like the way Harper took money from EI and other contingenxcy funds to make the budget looked balanced rather than to show it as it really is , in deficit?