Hundreds of thousands of educational workers are picketing around the province today, including in Blyth.
Picketers are marching in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office as the battle between the government and education unions rages on. Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario member Darrell Uhler says the government's notion that this is about salary is totally wrong.
"I'm not getting paid for my time out here. In Ontario today, there's over 200,000 education workers walking, not getting paid. If this was about money, if this was about a paycheque, I think we'd find a better way to make our statement."
Uhler says one major issue for the ETFO is cuts to special education supports, and overall cuts to student supports throughout every school and school board.
"With things like special education, the conditions in the classroom aren't improving, and further cuts to the support system that we already have, are just going to further deteriorate that, and no one wins in that situation."
Locally, there are also a large group of education workers picketing in Seaforth in front of the Avon Maitland District School Board facility.
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
ETFO member Darrell Uhler (holding flag) says the issue of special education cuts and less support for students is a major issue for the union in their battle with the provincial government. He is pictured here at the picket rally in Blyth in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in front of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office in Blyth. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Education union members picket in Seaforth in front of the Avon Maitland District School Board facility. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Bob Montgomery)
Education union members picket in Seaforth in front of the Avon Maitland District School Board facility. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Bob Montgomery)
Education union members picket in Seaforth in front of the Avon Maitland District School Board facility. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Bob Montgomery)
Education union members picket in Seaforth in front of the Avon Maitland District School Board facility. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Bob Montgomery)
Education union members picket in Seaforth in front of the Avon Maitland District School Board facility. February 21st, 2020 (Photo by Bob Montgomery)
**With files from Bob Montgomery**
