OSSTF Communications

OSSTF/FEESO represents 60,000+ frontline education workers in Ontario's schools, from JK to post-secondary. Contact us:

[Kristin Rushowy @krushowy]

Ontario teachers, school staff begin bargaining this month. Here are the unions' priorities https://t.co/M5MtrdynEv via @torontostar #onted #aefo #oecta #osstf #cupe #etfo

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Today, @AEFO_ON_CA, @ETFOeducators, @OECTAProv, @osbcucscso, and #OSSTF each served notice to bargain.

Students and families deserve a safe, stable, well-supported, and fully resourced publicly funded education system. Bargaining is one of the most powerful tools we have to make that happen.

Teachers and education workers see firsthand the increasing pressures facing classrooms and schools every day, including growing student needs, violence in schools, inadequate supports for students with special education needs, large class sizes, insufficient staffing, and challenges in retaining and recruiting teachers and education workers.

Students, teachers, and education workers should not have to rely on bargaining to secure the basic conditions needed for safe and successful schools.

We urge the provincial government and employer bargaining agencies to come to the table as soon as possible, prepared to engage constructively in negotiations focused on ensuring every student has access to the supports, resources, and learning conditions they need to succeed. Ontario cannot continue through another year of underfunding, understaffing, and instability.

Full statement: https://t.co/CpDXRdhTCw

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Across Canada, we should all be concerned when governments start to use the notwithstanding clause to override our Charter rights.

No matter what political party you support, rights and freedoms belong to all Canadians. That's why President @marthahradowy is encouraging #OSSTF members to sign the petition calling for limits on the use of the notwithstanding clause: https://t.co/v3bxOXlog0

Protecting democracy and protecting rights should never be optional.

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

When governments invoke the Notwithstanding Clause to end labour disputes, they are not simply legislating. They are telling workers that their rights are conditional and that the Charter protections all Canadians depend upon can be switched off when it is politically convenient to do so. This is a threat not only to teachers, but to every worker and every citizen in this country.

Read the full statement 👇🏽

[CTF/FCE @CTFFCE]

The presidents of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations in 🇨🇦 met in Banff to discuss the use of the Notwithstanding Clause as a tool to override constitutionally protected rights.  
🔗 Read the full statement: https://t.co/zTykR5FyJg
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Les président·es des organisations de l’enseignement du 🇨🇦 se sont réunis à Banff pour discuter du recours à la disposition de dérogation pour contourner les droits constitutionnels. 
🔗 https://t.co/Gvn9s9jX9D

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Let's come together to celebrate the diversity, courage, and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and raise political awareness of current issues they face.

Please support and take part in events taking place in Ontario https://t.co/1I6BSrJv7b

#PRIDE2026 #Fierté2026

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

MEDIA RELEASE: "Support staff are essential to the student experience and to the operation of our universities. Every layoff means fewer student services and supports, greater strain on those who remain, and another blow to communities that depend on their local university as a source of good jobs and economic stability." - Martha Hradowy, President of OSSTF/FEESO
These layoffs are not the result of workers failing institutions—they are the result of years of chronic provincial underfunding, a tuition freeze without replacement funding, and growing instability in Ontario's post-secondary sector. Students, workers, and communities will all feel the impact. It's time for the Ford government to invest in sustainable, predictable funding for public universities.

Read the full statement here: https://t.co/jTyjWkyaMT

#Underfunded #OntEd #OSSTF #FEESO #PSE

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

A $6.4 million cut to special education funding at the TDSB is not just a Toronto problem. It reflects a growing crisis in schools across Ontario.

Student needs are increasing, but supports are not keeping pace. Teachers and education workers are already stretching limited resources to support students every day.

Every Ontario student deserves access to the supports they need to succeed. Public education needs real investment in special education, not cuts.

#OntEd #OSSTF #OnPoli

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

June is National Indigenous History Month. This is a time for people in Canada to come together and celebrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples; a time to reflect on, listen and learn from the diverse experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and recognize their contributions - past and present.

For many Canadians, the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada was, and in some cases still is - unknown due to a history of colonization. We use this month as a time to reflect on the past and look to the future.

Together we can amplify the voices and strengths of Indigenous youth, leaders and communities by highlighting their contributions and showing up to affirm calls for change.

Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/CSyVDWJkxM

#NIHM2026

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

On June 1 every year, injured and ill workers, advocates, and labour activists gather in cities across the province to mark Injured Workers’ Day. We rally on this day to celebrate the gains made through united action, raise current concerns, and remind governments we cannot be ignored.

Injured Workers’ Day commemorates June 1, 1983, when over three thousand injured workers descended on Queen’s Park and forced a government committee looking at major changes to Ontario’s workers’ compensation system to conduct a public hearing on the steps of the Legislature.

A list of events both in person and virtual taking place across the province can be found on the @OFLabour website https://t.co/t3ZAtUEYCt

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Today marks the beginning of National AccessAbility Week in Canada.

This year’s theme, “Building a Strong, Accessible Canada,” recognizes the contributions, leadership, and experiences of persons with disabilities while highlighting the importance of removing barriers in our schools, workplaces, and communities.

Accessibility is not optional. It is essential to building inclusive public education systems and equitable workplaces where everyone can fully participate and thrive.

Throughout the week, we celebrate the advocacy, resilience, and achievements of Canadians with disabilities and recommit to the ongoing work of creating a more accessible and inclusive society for all.

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

#OSSTF is encouraging teacher and occasional teacher members to participate in a new research study on inclusive education and supporting students with giftedness.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia are exploring educators’ experiences, instructional practices, challenges, and professional learning needs related to supporting advanced learners in classrooms across Canada.

The study aims to:
✔️ Identify professional learning opportunities and promising practices
✔️ Support stronger alignment between inclusive education policies and classroom realities

Participation includes a voluntary 15–20 minute online survey, with an optional follow-up Zoom interview.

If you are a teacher or occasional teacher interested in contributing to this research, learn more and participate here: https://t.co/icSOAyFvFw

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

94 days to go.

Teachers and education workers are ready to bargain for better learning and working conditions in publicly funded education. Ontario students deserve nothing less.

#FinalCountdownFriday #OntEd #OSSTF

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Congratulations to Yolanda McLean on her election as President of @CUPEOntario.

We look forward to continuing to work together in solidarity to defend public services and advocate for workers, students, and communities across Ontario.

#OSSTF #OntEd #CUPE #OnLab

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Ontario students were promised that mandatory e-learning would modernize education.

Instead, it has meant larger classes, fewer supports, reduced funding, and more barriers for many students.

Online learning can be a valuable option for some students. But it should never have been made mandatory for all.

Student success starts with strong, connected, properly funded in-person learning environments

#OSSTf #OntEd #OnPoli

[Ontario Liberal Party | Parti Libéral de l'Ontario @OntLiberal]

Students are opting out of mandatory online learning in massive numbers — and honestly, who can blame them?

Students, parents, and educators have been clear: this isn’t what learning should look like. But the Ford government keeps pushing it anyway because cutting corners is cheaper than properly funding classrooms.

#onpoli @rob4ajax

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Today is Menstrual Hygiene Day 🩸

This year’s global theme is “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld” reminds us that everyone deserves access to menstrual products, education, healthcare, and support without stigma or shame.

Menstrual equity is a public health issue, a workplace issue, and an education issue. Here in Canada, far too many people still struggle to afford the menstrual products they need each month.

Creating a more equitable world means breaking stigma, challenging silence, and pushing governments, institutions, and employers to do more.

Together, we can help build a world where no one is held back because they menstruate ✊🏽

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

OSSTF/FEESO is launching NEW Additional Qualification (AQ) courses in Fall 2026 and we’re looking for OCT-certified members to join our pool of AQ Instructors.

Course areas:
• Special Education
• Guidance and Career Education
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies

Courses will be delivered online through an asynchronous instructor-led model.

If you have:
✔️ 5+ years teaching experience
✔️ Specialist qualifications (or equivalent)
✔️ Experience in the subject area

... we want to hear from you!

📅 Apply by June 12, 2026 at 3 PM ET.
🖥️ Submit applications to: [email protected]

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Join #OSSTF for our upcoming virtual town hall:
Underfunded and Undervalued: Support Staff and the Crisis in Postsecondary Education

Hear directly from university support staff workers, community members, and partners about the growing pressures facing campuses across Ontario and the essential role support staff play in keeping our postsecondary institutions running.

📅 June 11, 2026
⏰ 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
💻 Live on Zoom
🇫🇷 French interpretation provided

Students, families, education workers, and community members are welcome.

Register 👇🏽
https://t.co/W5W8GDmpF5

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Today, education advocates, labour leaders, and parents came together to speak with one voice about the urgent need to tackle the harmful effects of extreme heat in schools across Ontario.

Thank you to Shadow Education Critic MPP @ChandraPasma , MPP @jamiewestndp , OSSTF District 14 President Chris Clarke alongside @OECTAProv , @ETFOeducators , and Parents for Childcare, for standing united in support of students, families, educators, and education workers.

With MPP Pasma’s private member’s bill, the Fighting Extreme Heat in Schools Act, 2026, we hope the Ford government takes meaningful action to ensure safe learning and working conditions for all students, teachers, and education workers during the increasingly hot summer months. #OntEd #PublicEducation

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Students and education workers deserve safe learning and working conditions, especially during increasingly frequent extreme heat events.

Today, the Ontario NDP tabled the Fighting Extreme Heat in Schools Act, legislation aimed at establishing enforceable maximum temperatures in schools and on school buses, improving heat mitigation planning, and addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps.

Extreme heat in schools is not just uncomfortable. It is a growing health and safety issue impacting students’ ability to learn and teachers and education workers’ ability to work safely.

As climate change intensifies, Ontario’s schools need real investments, modern infrastructure, and clear protections to keep school communities safe.

#OSSTF #OnPoli #OntEd

[Ontario NDP Press Office @ONDPPressOffice]

NDP tables Bill to protect children from excessive heat in schools ahead of the summer season

From @ChandraPasma #onpoli

https://t.co/cvf19jJnO1