TEACHERS BACK ON JOB AFTER INFORMATION PICKET

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Teachers were back on the job today, after an information picket Thursday.

Across the Trillium Lakelands District School Board and province classes were suspended yesterday as hundreds of elementary teachers marched around school perimeters to bring attention to their ongoing labour talks and strife in Ontario.

Here at the Gravenhurst Public School (GPS) more than two dozen men and women — bundled against the cold — walked up and down Hughson Street.

They also circled the blocks bounded by Bay, Mary and Sarah streets and up unto the main street of Muskoka Road in the morning and afternoon strike.

They are members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO)

GPS teacher and spokesperson Mike DeRose said “about 25” members were there “picketing to prevent the (education) cuts proposed by the Ford government.”

“We’re here to support our students. And that includes students with special needs and vulnerable students. And that is who is going to be impacted if these cuts take hold.”

He said “We are proud to stand up for public education and support our communities, especially the youth.”

Hear more from his interview in the audio and video clips below.

Teacher spokesperson Mike DeRose on why teachers were walking picket line Feb. 7 in Gravenhurst.

ETFO spokesperson Mike DeRose, centre, said 25 teachers were out supporting their community and students.
On streets around the Gravenhurst Public School, striking teachers took their message to the streets of Gravenhurst yesterday.
Teachers bundled up outside GPS Thursday morning as they walked the picket lines to draw attention to their labour strife with the province.