OSSTF District 8

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

This Thursday, 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

[Tyler Watt 🇨🇦 @tylerwatt]

The Ford government's $750 classroom gift card gimmick was insulting and admits that our schools are underfunded.

Asking teachers to buy classroom supplies is like asking nurses to shop for medical supplies before work because the hospital can't provide them.

Now we learn that $300 of the promised $750 isn't even new funding - it's being taken from existing education dollars. That's not an investment in public education. It's a shell game.

Ontario students and educators deserve properly funded classrooms, not government announcements that sound bigger than they really are. #onpoli #onted
https://t.co/sA7jOKwkHi

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Last chance to apply!

#OSSTF is seeking OCT-certified members to join our pool of AQ Instructors for Fall 2026 courses in:
• Special Education
• Guidance and Career Education
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies

These are paid, fully online instructional opportunities for experienced teachers and education workers ready to support professional learning across Ontario.

📅 Applications close June 12 at 3 PM ET.
📝 [email protected]

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Calling all experienced OCT-certified educators with AQ expertise 📚

#OSSTF is hiring AQ Instructors for Fall 2026 courses in:
• Special Education
• Guidance and Career Education
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies

✔️ Remote online instruction
✔️ Paid positions
✔️ Flexible instructor pool model

Apply by June 12 at 3 PM ET.
📝 [email protected]

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

87 days to go... less than 3 months.

Notice to bargain has been served. The countdown continues.

Teachers and education workers are ready to bargain for better for students, schools, and publicly funded education.

Ontario families are waiting to see whether this government is ready too.

#FinalCountdownFriday #OntEd #OSSTF

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Today at OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Council sent a clear message that we are strong and united for publicly funded education.

From education workers to teachers we are committed in our unity and solidarity!

#RedForEd #OntEd

[Toronto Star @TorontoStar]

Almost 800 positions at the Toronto District School Board on chopping block #onpoli https://t.co/iqhJTVor2s

[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]

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]

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]

Have you met Joe Rooyakkers? Not only is he the OSSSTF/FEESO bargaining unit president at the University of Guelph, he’s also our incredible guest this week.

Check out Episode 4 of Education Forum: The Podcast for his important take on the post-secondary education center. Check it out here https://t.co/HCcdPFnWUR

And don’t forget to share your thoughts, feedback, and suggestions by emailing [email protected]

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Burnout. Stress. Violence.

Too many teachers and education workers are being pushed beyond their limits and told it’s just part of the job. It’s not.

On the National Day of Mourning, we stand together to remember those we’ve lost and to demand safer, healthier workplaces for everyone.

Because across Canada, nearly half of workers say their job is the most stressful part of their day, and 7 in 10 are worried about their psychological health and safety at work.

It doesn’t have to be this way

#OSSTF #DayOfMourning #NationalDayOfMourning

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

On April 29, let’s show what collective action looks like. President Martha Hradowy explains why it’s critical that we stand united alongside more than 255,000 teachers and education workers across Ontario.

Wear red and purple, and take action in your schools and communities to demonstrate why we must fight for a strong, fully publicly funded education system. #Red4Ed #EducationDayofAction #OntEd

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Still underfunded.
That’s the reality behind Budget 2026.

Overcrowded classrooms.
Not enough teachers and education workers.
Layoffs across public education.

We are underfunded and over it.

🎥 Watch #OSSTF President @marthahradowy’s message and take action at https://t.co/qLrTWCzG0E

#OntEd #OnPoli #ONBudget2026

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Congratulations to this year’s #OSSTF Provincial Award winners (2/2)

Your hard work, leadership, and dedication to our union have made a lasting impact across the Federation.

Thank you to all award recipients for everything you do 🙏🏽

#AMPA2026

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Five education unions.
Two annual meetings.
One message.

This morning, teachers and education workers from across Ontario came together in solidarity to defend publicly funded education.

Together, our collective voice is stronger.

Solidarity!

#CatholicTeachers #OECTAAGM26 #OSSTF #AMPA2026

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

And that’s a wrap on #AMPA2026!

THANK YOU to the members, volunteers, invited guests, #OSSTF staff, and hotel staff who made these past three days inspiring, energizing, and memorable.

Together, teachers and education workers are organized, united, and ready for the work ahead.

Safe travels home everyone 👋🏽

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Congratulations to this year’s #OSSTF Provincial Award winners (1/2)

Your hard work, leadership, and dedication to our union have made a lasting impact across the Federation.

SPECIAL shout out to Mary Montgomery, from District 35 – Brock University, for winning the Status of Women Award. Mary couldn't make it in person but we are so thankful for all her hard work.

Thank you to all award recipients for everything you do 🙏🏽

#AMPA2026

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

#AMPA2026 Day 2 comes to a close, but the work continues. #OSSTF members debated key issues and set direction for the Federation during one of the most challenging eras for public education in Ontario.

Tomorrow we wrap up with Day 3 and our close out!

[OSSTF Communications @osstf]

Day 2 of #AMPA2026 has begun!

OSSTF/FEESO General Secretary Vaino Poysa kicked off the day by sharing the reimagined and relaunched Annual Report.

As Vaino said, "This Annual Report reflects work we are proud of. Over the last year, #OSSTF has remained active, disciplined, and focused: supporting members, strengthening our internal capacity, and readiness in preparing deliberately for the work ahead."