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The Ontario School Board Coordinating Committee (OSBCC) held its annual conference in London, from April 8 to 12. More than 300 delegates from all over the province met to debate common work issues, participate in workshops or seminars, and elect their new executive committee.
This year, the OSBCC conference had a particular interest for school board sector workers, since it was taking place just three weeks after the provincial budget was released. But first and foremost, the event happened at a turning point in the Provincial Discussion Table (PDT), the central bargaining process that brings to the same table the OSBCC bargaining committee, and representatives from the School Boards and the Ministry of Education.
On opening day, Sid Ryan, president of CUPE Ontario, said he was optimistic about how the discussions were evolving between the parties.
A new window of opportunity has opened up, said Ryan. We are going forward, towards a point that nobody has been able to achieve in a number of years. By being able to get this PDT working, I believe we have received a clear message from the government that CUPE is the leading organisation in negotiation.
Ryan was clear about the possible impact of the new common bargaining process. There has never been a more important conference for this sector, he said. I invite you to participate actively in this week’s debates and to inquire about the issues tabled at the PDT. This series of negotiations will influence school board sector workers for the next decade at least.
On Wednesday, Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, talked with the OSBCC delegates. He reiterated his support to the PDT bargaining committee.
This is certainly the largest table our Union has ever assembled, said Moist. January 21st was an historic meeting and due to your initiative 45,000 workers can now be heard in one voice. Keep the discussions going; other CUPE members are following your progress closely.
OSBCC delegates also elected new officers. Frank Vantresca, who has been an officer on the OSBCC since 1993 and the Chair of this committee for the last 4 years, announced that he was stepping down from his position. He will remain closely involved with the OSBCC.
Terri Preston, a language instructor with the Toronto District School Board and current Vice-President of CUPE Local 4400 (Unit B), was elected as the new OSBCC Chair. She has been an officer on the OSBCC for the last four years.
The main speaker on the closing day of the conference was the Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne. The Minister was quick to recognize the importance of CUPE workers in school boards. Your involvement is crucial and you are keeping our schools running, she said.
The Minister admitted that the issue of school board funding needed to be addressed. Although there is a real need for some local flexibility, accountability is also a concern. Our objective is to find the right balance, without having to tie the strings too tightly.
On the PDT, Wynne was positive. I feel like we have come a long way, she said. To this day, it is an extremely productive process and I’m hopeful it will help improve the working environment, and ultimately the learning environment, for students.
