June 26, 2023

Jo Taylor, President and CEO
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
5650 Yonge Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M2M 4H5

Dear Jo Taylor,

We are writing on behalf of 200,000 educators in Ontario’s publicly funded education system to express our concerns regarding a troubling situation involving American-based company, Stone Canyon Industries Holdings (SCIH). Our concerns are heightened given that the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) is a major investor in SCIH.

As you know, SCIH acquired the parent company of Windsor Salt Company in 2020. Currently, Windsor Salt Company workers are engaged in challenging negotiations for their first contract with SCIH. The affected workers include miners responsible for producing road salt at the Windsor Salt Ojibway Mine, as well as employees at the evaporation processing plant who produce food-grade table salt.

On February 17, 2023, miners from the Windsor Salt Ojibway Mine and clerical staff from the evaporation processing plant, represented by Unifor Local 1959 and Unifor Local 240 respectively, initiated a strike. The justified job action was in response to SCIH's proposal to outsource union jobs. The refusal to bargain unless deep concessions are agreed to is counter to how the bargaining process works.

As members of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and governors of the Ontario Teachers' Federation, we strongly condemn any attempts to undermine unions or a free and fair collective bargaining process. Union-busting actions not only contradict the values of our unions, but also harm the reputation of the OTPP. Furthermore, they fail to align with the Environmental, Social, and Governance policies of the OTPP.

Our members do not want their pension contributions to be used to harm other workers. If the OTPP is truly committed to supporting and respecting workers and their rights, including the rights to unionize, collectively bargain, and strike, it must adhere to the values of the plan and honour all stakeholders. As one of the largest pension plans in the world, the OTPP must uphold ethical and social justice investment practices that align with the values of the members whom you are entrusted to represent.

We stand with the workers of Windsor Salt Company. On behalf of our respective members, we are asking the OTPP to join us in publicly reaffirming a commitment to free and fair collective bargaining, as Windsor Salt workers strive to reach a collective agreement that is fair, equitable, and respectful of their rights.

Yours truly,

• Karen Brown, President
  Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
• Barb Dobrowolski, President
  Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association
• Karen Littlewood, President
  Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
• Anne Vinet-Roy, présidente
  Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens