ties to meet you where you are, understand- ing that the threshold for engagement will be different for different people. Te key is to de- cide to get engaged. Maybe that means sign- ing up for email or text notifications, maybe it means coming out to a general meeting or program, or maybe it even means leafletting and door knocking at election time. Something unique about KPR ETFO is
that the teacher and occasional teacher locals work very closely. We are proud of the rela- tionship that we have fostered over the years. Likewise, our local works with affiliates like the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), CUPE and the On- tario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA). Tis collaboration has been use- ful when planning events such as town halls and community forums. It is also powerful to have KPR ETFO and the affiliates working with school board trustees and being present at board meetings. We also try to be present at community
events. KPR ETFO makes a point of hav- ing a booth at events such as Pride marches and Labour Day picnics in conjunction with the local labour councils. If you are at one of these events anywhere in the province and see an ETFO booth, come introduce your- self! If you are interested in volunteering, that’s a great way to get involved. Te ETFO provincial office works along-
side the education affiliates (OSSTF, OEC- TA, Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens [AEFO] and CUPE) on shared positions related to public education. ETFO is a partner in the broader labour movement as a member of the On- tario Federation of Labour (OFL), and in the country as a member of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). Tese connections with other workers
and labour unions are invaluable when sup- porting one another through conflicts like strikes and during bargaining or Charter challenges. We have seen what can happen when the house of labour stands united. Both locally and provincially, our goal is
to support public education and other public services, and to recognize the contribution of educators and other workers. With both fed- eral and provincial elections on the horizon, mobilization and engagement are a priority for unions, not only in Ontario, but across the country.
MOBILIZING EDUCATORS
Our voices hold power. Tey hold power in our schools, in our homes and in our com-
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 37
munities. When it comes to politics, polls have consistently shown that community members trust educators more than the gov- ernment. As educators, a good many of us have been graced with the giſt of gab. Talking about issues – about our experiences in our schools and classrooms, and about what pub- lic education could look like if our schools were fully funded – is useful and necessary. Among the things members can do to
help advance the needs and priorities of public schools is to have open and honest conversations with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours about the issues that affect both educators and students. We can share our concerns about the negative effects of underfunding on our schools – the lack of special education supports, neglected repairs, increasing violence, excessive heat and large class sizes, just to name a few. One of the best tools available to ETFO
members to support these conversations is the Building Better Schools website (Build-
ingBetterSchools.ca). You don’t have to have all the answers when you chat about public education, you can direct people to the BBS site for more information. Tere, people can read about ETFO’s vision for public education and access a tool to look up how much fund-
ing has been cut from their local school since the Ford government came to power in 2018. If you’re interested in getting active around
the next provincial election, don’t hesitate to contact your local political action committee. Ask them whether there are plans to engage members in the next election and how you can get involved. If your local does not have a committee, ask what opportunities exist for organizing. If the PAC chair is a committee of one, join them! Tere is no need to be a political expert; you just need to be someone who cares about our public schools, students and communities. As the largest education union in Canada, ETFO members have the opportunity to make a very real impact on the provincial election Te next time your local holds a meet-
ing – be it an open house, AGM, collective bargaining information session or strike vote information session – plan to attend. Bring a friend. Talk to colleagues and en- courage them to bring a friend. Being an educator is inherently political, so pay at- tention, educate yourself and get involved! Our public schools depend on it. Your union needs you. n
Sarah Whalen is a member of the Kawartha Pine Ridge Teacher Local.
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