January 9, 2021 — Today’s announcement by Minister Lecce outlined an expansion and extension of access to emergency child care to a broader range of Ontario’s front line workers, including those education workers required to work face-to-face in school settings. We have not yet received details related to this announcement but this goes part way to meeting OSSTF/FEESO’s lobbying for access to child care for frontline teachers and education workers. Members are encouraged to access these services if they are in need of assistance by contacting their municipality.
It is unfortunate, however, that once again the government is proving it does not understand the realities facing many education workers, teachers, and families. For a majority of our members, today’s announcement still leaves them scrambling to balance responsibilities of virtual learning and student support with the very real needs of their own families and children.
OSSTF/FEESO continues to make member safety our top priority through this crisis, including advocacy for the unique needs of members working in on-site and online settings, including those in Northern Ontario who are returning to face-to-face learning on Monday.
We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and government announcements as updated COVID-19 modelling is released early next week in order to determine our next actions.
Yours in Federation,
Harvey Bischof,
President, OSSTF/FEESO