OSSTF Torontos Stories Just Dont Add Up

Teachers encounter problems with narrative every day.

Maybe this sounds familiar Im sorry. I was late because we had to stop at
Starbucks so I could get a coffee. My response generally goes something like this
while I appreciate your desire to embrace the benefits of a caffeinated lifestyle,
you are late because you actually chose to be late. You prioritized coffee over
punctuality. If you respond similarly, then you are a narrative buster.
Narrative. In many ways its how we understand the world. Consider the words house
and home. Theoretically they mean the same thing; a structure in which people dwell.
But close your eyes and say the words. House is a building, probably pictured from the
outside. Home is the interior of that building, at the holidays, filled with people you love
(or at least tolerate). The difference is home is loaded with narrative, house is not.
Over the last few years, I have grown increasingly frustrated by many of OSSTF Torontos
broken stories. Consider the following three narratives.
1. We are at war with the Liberal party of Ontario over Bill 115 and we will
protest their leadership convention.
Narrative Busted: Ken Coran ran for the Liberal Party of Ontario within a week of retiring
from his teaching career and members of D12s leadership team (at least the two I spoke
with) defended him with the same rehearsed line It was bad optics, but I know Ken, he
believed he could change things by working from within. As for the protest, some of those
same OSSTF Toronto Leaders were at the convention, working the room instead being
outside demonstrating their fury.
Beyond the Narrative: I want leaders that will admit Corans actions were the equivalent
of OSSTF treason. And about Ken changing things from the inside, that demonstrates a poor
understanding of todays politics. If ever there was a politician that should be beholden to
Ontarios Teachers Unions its Kathleen Wynne. She entered politics, as a school board
trustee, at the urging of the District 12 Executive. She became chair of the TDSB and was
swept into power as part of the McGuinty-Teacher love-in elections quickly becoming the
Education Minister. We even donated $10 000 to her Liberal leadership campaign. She is
supposed to be the dream Premier, but she hasnt been able to change a thing as the most
powerful politician in the province....but Ken as a backbencher....well now that would have
made all the difference.
As for that January protest...its impossible to believe we were at war with anybody
because while teachers were outside protesting in the January weather, some of our D12
leadership was inside the convention, hobnobbing and glad-handing their way from crudit
to candidate to the fondue fountain. Maybe they wanted to hand deliver the $30 000 worth
of D12 cheques we promised some of the leadership candidates. Rubbing shoulders, kissing
cheeks and dropping off a briefcase full of cash does not constitute war.
2. We have the best on-call language in the province, way better than York
Regions.
Narrative Busted: On-call language ranks lowest on the bargaining surveys of our
membership. According to our Chief Negotiator, salary is always first, benefits are second
and workload ranks a distant third.

Beyond the Narrative: Forget salary for a minute because its effectively been negotiated
centrally for a decade. D12 has been succeeding with our lowest priority, while failing with
the memberships higher priority, benefits. Here is a link to York Region's OSSTF Benefits
Package 100% dental coverage at current ODA rates, massage, physiotherapy, eye
examinations, naturopath, two times annual salary life insurance, and the list goes on. In
fact, according to own our D12 Executive, we have one of, if not the worst, benefits
packages for teachers in Ontario.
I dont really care if we choose on-call language over benefits, but stop spinning the truth by
suggesting that you are champs on our third priority while the truth is youre choking on
more significant priorities as identified through our members input.
3. This strike is a slow burn
Narrative Busted: According to Billy Joel we didnt start the fire... because there is no
fire. No aspect of this strike has the boards leadership on burn. The board isnt the least
bit interested in negotiating according to the D12 Executive team. If fire ants crawl up my
pants, I scratch that itch; but this board is slowly burning and they couldnt care less.
Forget scratching an itch, they dont know theyre on fire.
Beyond the Narrative: If the D12 logic is to be followed, Principals hate our strike and
pass that message up to their Supervisory Officer. The SO hears this and develops a hatred
for our strike and passes the message on to the Director. The Director ends up hating our
strike and then we get a great deal. Its so easy. But D12 also tells us the TDSB is
completely dysfunctional, doesnt listen, and hires yes-people. But in the case of this
strike, everybody complains and whines and the board listens attentively.
Our leadership also claims the TDSB has spent millions on extra supply
teachers...however, $1 million is equal to approximately 4000 extra full-day supply teachers,
I need proof (this proof should also take into account the millions the board has saved in
PD expenses). Report cards are being uploaded and distributed normally, granted with no
learning skills or comments. How many irate parents have called their Teacher, Principal,
Trustee, or anybody over the lack of comments? Have we reached double digits? The admin
teams are collecting attendance, so theyre burning a few calories...I guess thats something
thats actually burning.
I dont know why these narratives dont add up but I do know theyre busted. As a TDSB
teacher for the past fifteen years I have grown tired of being told one thing only to realize
with the passage of time that something doesnt add up. I expect transparency of action
and communication from my union. After all, I think I should expect at least as much from
them as I do from my students.
Rob Scott
May 8, 2016
Rob Scott is a narrative busting candidate in the upcoming District 12 Executive
Election, running for President. If you would like receive more information, ask
any questions, or offer your feedback regarding this article send a quick hello
to valueadded4osstf@gmail.com or you can follow @robbiescotty. And be sure to
vote on May 25 or May 26.