Bill 100

The passage of Bill 100 in 1975 paved the way for the first collective agreements between Boards of Education and teacher’s unions.  It was also the first time that teachers had the right to strike as the ultimate tool for negotiations

Every new beginning:
1997 Days of Protest over Bill 160

1997 marks the a departure in the history of education in Ontario and the relationship between the Teachers’ unions and the government.  The draconian measures of the Harris government in Bill 160 forced all five major teacher unions in Ontario to union in a two week shutdown of the Ontario Education system.

The Battles, The Wars, The Victories

A history of collective bargaining rights for Ontario teachers

About OSSTF/FEESO

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) is a trade union representing almost 60,000 members in 140 bargaining units across the province.
Founded in 1919, OSSTF/FEESO represents public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, attendance counsellors and many other educational workers.
OSSTF/FEESO bargaining units represent both English and French members in elementary and secondary school workplaces, private schools, consortia offering support services to school boards and universities.

OSSTF/FEESO Mandate

The mandate of the Federation is to associate and unite teachers and all other employees of educational institutions or local government bodies of whatever nature, or who are employed by or engaged by any organization which provides services to an educational institution or to a local government body, whether directly or indirectly, within the Province of Ontario, and to promote and safeguard their interests.

Duties of Members to Other Members OSSTF By-Law 5.2

A member shall:

1. avoid interfering in an unwarranted manner between other members and pupils;

2. on making an adverse report on another member, furnish that member with a written statement of the report at the earliest possible time and not later than three days after making the report;

3. prior to registering a complaint of harassment or bullying against another member, inform the member, either personally or through a representative, that the actions are unwelcome and must cease;

4. Any member making an adverse report on another member shall include in the written statement the relevant date, details and alleged incidents that were related in the adverse report to the member and address and deliver the written statement to the member. (A.96)

Those OSSTF members found in violation of OSSTF by-laws may have their names forwarded to the OSSTF Provincial Judicial Council. Sanctions included in the by-laws include being banned from OSSTF meetings, a fine not to exceed the gross salary for 21 working days, and/or publication of the name, charges, and penalties of the member found in violation.

Bob Smith Award

Bob Smith was OSSTF D9 (now D 20) first president (1969-1970).  The award is presented annually to a OSSTF member who has given a great deal of time and energy to promote the interests of the union.

List of winners click here



OSSTF District 20 Inclusive Educator Award

The OSSTF Inclusive Educator Award is presented annually to an OSSTF member who has made significant contributions to making Halton schools an inclusive environment.  This award was first presented in 2006 at District Assembly.

Click here for list of recipients