The Globe says:
The memo suggests that school boards could be facing a provincial takeover if they do not sign teacher contracts within the next six weeks, consequences a government spokesman would neither confirm nor deny.However, having read the memo (and possible the Globe got a different version), I don't see what's there to be so bold as to say cabinet is ready over the order paper to start taking control of school boards.
From the memo, also quoted by the Globe:
In addition to being balanced, budgets must be financially sustainable over the longer term. This means local bargaining outcomes must align with the provincial funding framework.Nor do I see the memo suggesting the boards have their collective agreements signed before the start of the school year. I do see reference to ensuring the school year starts and continues, which to me is more of a suggestion that boards not lock out their employees. They're asked to advise on the status of negotiations by Aug. 1, but there's nothing in the memo saying the deals have to be signed before the beginning of the school year.
Concluding local bargaining outcomes outside the terms of the provincial funding framework would raise concerns about a board's ability to meet its financial obligations, at which point the Minister could (my emphasis) decide to exercise her powers as set out in the Education Act, to put the board on more sustainable footing.
If anything, this memo is a shot across the federations' bow, in addition to a warning to school boards.
The province pays you. They fund you. Don't break the bounds of the funding rules they've laid out for you. Federations choosing (this time, with concessions on the table) not to engage in the discussion table process and solely engaging in local bargaining hope to outmuscle school boards many of whom cannot hope to match the federations' co-ordinated approach.
(As I mentioned in a comment earlier, funny the federations without agreements are all pissy this time with concessions on the table. They didn't seem to have those issues when the cash was flowing freely at the discussion tables in the last two rounds.)
For boards that might consider taking money out of provincial funding envelopes to cover items their unions want and the province isn't funding, this memo sets it out clearly-- fund above what we set out at your own risk.
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(As I mentioned in a comment earlier, funny the federations without agreements are all pissy this time with concessions on the table. They didn't seem to have those issues when the cash was flowing freely at the discussion tables in the last two rounds.)
"Pissy"? This is objective reporting? What a joke. Federations are "frustrated" over heavy-handed, Draconian tactics that are clearly interested in meeting fiscal objectives and not about respecting education or the collective bargaining process.
"Objective"?
There's very little objectivity in any of this. Teachers howl at the prospect of only receiving enough sick days to deal with sickness, claim relatively minor '"cuts" are turning them into paupers, et al. Heck, Sam Hammond, one of the union heads said he'd never agree to the deal worked out with OECTA because it...didn't put kids first!
Huh? How in the world does a fight with the Libs over teacher salaries and benefits even begin to make kids the top priority?
On a personal note I'm amazed that a profession with well over one hundred thousand professionals seems so hardpressed to move past dodgy rhetoric and make compelling arguments. Witness the muddle around the sick day buyback issue!
Hey Anon:
This is a blog. It's my space for opinion and analysis. I make no pretense here that I won't share my opinion. So yes, pissy. The same way ETFO was silly in 2009 with the 2008-12 contract and LOST its members equity over who controlled prep time.
The reality is this government, which is now so evil towards teachers, has been the MOST generous government to k-12 education in a generation. I challenge you to find another premier since Bill Davis in any province that allowed the education budget to grow as McGuinty has. The skeptics would say he bought labour peace with teachers' union (note that some support staff have gone on strike since 2003).
Now, when there are concessions on the table, the federations are playing the spin and PR war just as much as the government is.
You are free to disagree as you have. That's your opinion. The post was and is mine.
Hugo
Hey, if it’s “opinion” you’re peddling here, why call it the “Education Reporter”? Doesn’t that imply “reporting” in a journalistic fashion? If your goal is to merely offer your unsubstantiated beliefs then don’t mislead people with inaccurate titles.
And let’s look at “pissy”, shall we? How are the unions acting “vulgar” or “nasty” in their dealings with a government bent on resorting to banal rhetoric, questionable labor practices and fear mongering? I’m sure you’ll be presenting some specific evidence to back up your assertion, right?
“Now, when there are concessions on the table, the federations are playing the spin and PR war just as much as the government is.”
What “spin war”? What “concessions”? It seems like the bias and agenda are creeping through here. In fact, Catholic Trustees are beginning to openly revolt against the cowardly, self-serving OECTA deal, so are they “pissy” as well or is that colloquialism only reserved for teachers?
I suspect trustees are revolting because they're becoming increasingly irrelevent if the province bypasses them and deals directly with the unions.
Mind you there's already becoming some question what role trustees actually fill.
Quite frankly I find Bruno's take on education far more compelling than I do that of folks who seem inclined to bicker simply for the sake of bickering.
Convine some of the union heads to move their level of discussion up a few ticks then feel free to lecture on "banal rhetoric" and "fear mongering".
I find it rather amusing how quickly the love affair between Daltie and the Feds hit the rocks once the money dried up. Given that Hudak won't give them the time of day and the Dippers won't be in power anytime soon I'd say the Feds are rapidly running out of political clout. Trashing Dalton is not a great strategy, kids.
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