Showing solidarity with teachers in my neighbourhood

Elementary teachers at Toronto’s Pauline Junior Public School were in good spirits today—part of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario‘s “Super Tuesday” action that saw walkouts across some of the province’s largest school boards, including Toronto, Durham, Peel, Waterloo, Greater Essex, Grand Erie, Lambton Kent and Near North. In total, the actions have mobilized some 35,000 teachers.
More after the pic…

Share this pic online to show your support for Ontario teachers.

In my neighbourhood, some Catholic teachers joined the picket line in solidarity, as did teachers represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Baked goods were also distributed in solidarity and horn after horn tooted as cars drove past. The window signs proclaiming that teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions were a big hit with both teachers and passers-by. Some urged us to go door-to-door with them and suggested posting them up around another elementary school just a few blocks south..

Elementary teachers holdin’ it down at Pauline Junior Public School.

 
At the Pauline Junior Public School, teachers were resolved and buoyant. It’s not about money—it’s about fairness and respect, they said. “We’re all losing a day’s pay to do this, but that’s not reported in the news,” said one. “But it’s important to stand up to this government; they need to know that they can’t just ride roughshod over us.”
 
“The majority of elementary teachers are women,” said one. “This government is attacking women.”

“All together now!”

One teacher on the line had been part of the historic teachers’ action in 1973, when mass resignations were the only tools teachers had to improve working and learning conditions. That action helped secure Ontario teachers’ right to strike in the first place.
 
One teacher on the line had been part of the historic teachers’ action in 1973, when mass resignations were the only tools teachers had to improve working and learning conditions. That action helped secure Ontario teachers’ right to strike in the first place.
Anyone can show support for Ontario teachers, and their struggle to defend quality education in Ontario.
Download a solidarity sign to display in your window—at home, at work, at your school, in your neighbourhood.
Download a solidarity petition to circulate among parents, students and anyone who wants to show their support for teachers. Then deliver the signed petitions to a teacher you know, or fax them to the union: 416-642-2424.
During the strike, visit the picket line, even just to say hello and tell the teachers you support them. Bring a box of timbits or some coffee, too!
For more information on the fight against Bill 115, read this.

Catholic teachers joined the picket line in solidarity.

Solidarity on the picket line

Posted on lamp posts along Pauline Avenue: “Teachers’ working conditions = students’ learning conditions. Stop McGuinty’s attack on teachers!”

This article should be read alongside this: Put students first: support Ontario teachers.