Where to Go for Picketing

Short Term Occasional Picket Locations:

Niagara East (and St. Catharines North of the QEW)
(includes Thorold, Niagara Falls, NOTL, St. Davids, Port Colborne, Ridgeway, Fort Erie, Virgil)

You are expected to arrive at the office of MPP Jim Bradley no later than 11:30am. It is preferable if you arrive 15 minutes earlier to park and come to the intersection of Scott and Secord Drive.  You can park at Central Community Church down the street if you wish. A variety of food options are nearby.

Niagara West (and St. Catharines South of the QEW)
(includes Beamsville, Grimsby, Welland, Fonthill, Fenwick, Vineland, Jordan, Smithville, Stoney Creek, Pelham)

You are expected to arrive at the office of MPP Tim Hudak no later than 11:30am. It is preferable if you arrive 15 minutes earlier to park and come to the sidewalk in front of the No Frills grocery store, on King Street and Mountain Street, in Beamsville. Please do not park in the plaza.  You can park at Great Lakes Christian High School down the street if you wish.  A variety of food options are nearby.

Long Term Occasionals:

Report to the school where you're doing your LTO.  The school steward or strike captain will record you on the school's roster.


Everyone:
  • This is a legal strike and participation is mandatory.
  • Your presence must be registered at the site for strike pay purposes. Look for those wearing the ETFO red touques and make sure that you bring picture identification.  Attendance will be taken after Gary speaks.  Children are welcome.
  • You must contact your local office if you require accommodation (can't attend) and you must provide supporting documentation.
  • Your local office will be open from 4-6 pm on tomorrow, December 10 in order for you to pick up the accommodation form.
  • Following our shift of 3 hours we are invited to Amici’s (the old Arizona’s location), at Merrittville Hwy and Beaverdam Rd to a rally and debriefing. I would encourage all Occasional Teachers to stop by from 3 to 5 pm.
  • We voted 96% in favour of the strike actions we are planning. Even if you are part of the 4% you are expected at the locations mentioned.
  • If you're not on LTO, you are expected at one of the MPP offices:  Schools are already well covered by their staff.  We need you for the political protest portion of this strike action.
Questions?  Phone: 289-241-7899  E-mail: mark@niagaraot.org

If you need to register that you'll be absent for any reason, e-mail niagaraotstrike@gmail.com

Strike Tuesday December 11th

We are engaging in a full withdrawal of services on Tuesday December 11th.  This is a legal strike and participation is mandatory.

Long Term Occasionals:
  • You will picket at the school where you're working your LTO.  Inform the Steward or Strike Captain (wearing red ETFO toque) to include you on their roster, and sign in with them for attendance.
  • Contact your school steward to determine which 3 hour picket shift you'll work.

Short Term Occasionals:
  • We are currently waiting on permits.  Once finalized, you will be notified of the sites where we'll be picketing.  Report to a Strike Captain (wearing a red ETFO toque) to register your attendance.
  • Plan to work a 3 hour picket shift starting at 11:30am.  Try to arrive 15 minutes early.

Notes for everyone:
  • You must contact your local office (905-892-0270) if you require accommodation and you must provide supporting documentation.
  • Fonthill office will be open from 4-6pm on Monday.
  • Your presence must be registered on-site for strike pay.
  • Strike pay is not taxable and is not counted as earnings for EI.
  • Photo ID required.

Post Picket:
  • All Occasional Teachers should plan on attending Amici’s (Merrittville Hwy & Beaverdams Rd) from 3-5pm.  Food and drink will be provided.

Thank you in advance for the solidarity and support during this challenging time in our history!  If you have any questions, please call 289-241-7899.

Online vote for political protest day.

Update: Over 46,000 members voted, with 92% in favour of a political protest if needed.


Notes
  • This vote is only to decide if ETFO will stage a one day political protest in the event that Minister Broten decrees us back to work if/when we go on strike.
  • We've already voted to support strike action, and we are now in a legal strike position.
  • Any strike action (work-to-rule beginning Dec 3rd, full withdrawal of services, etc) is not optional.  As a member of the union, you are required to participate.