OSSTF/FEESO encourages Ontario to stand up for educators on World Teachers' Day 2012

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 4, 2012) - October 5^th, 2012 is World Teachers' Day. This year's theme is: "Take a Stand for Teachers." This theme could not be timelier for all education workers across Ontario.

Educators, by the very nature of their jobs, take a stand every day. They stand up for the health and well-being of their students. They stand up for the rights of their students to receive effective education in safe schools. They stand up for healthy communities, teaching peace and tolerance. They stand up for public education, protecting it as a cornerstone of democracy.

Teachers and support staff, who were once students themselves, are now parents and contributing community members. They have a unique perspective on education and its importance within our society and know first-hand the needs of our schools and students.

Today, in Ontario, education workers are standing up against Bill 115 which strips them of important labour rights and makes deep cuts to public education. As students and parents begin to join us in our fight, we encourage everyone to take a stand for teachers and all education workers in Ontario.

While World Teachers' Day is usually a time for celebration, this year it is also a time for us to show our commitment, solidarity and strength.

We hope all Ontarians will join us as we take a stand for teachers and all education workers on October 5^th.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.