For eight years, teachers and education workers have had their voices ignored. No matter how often talking points are repeated, the facts stay the same: $6.3 billion has been removed from public education, class sizes are too large, funding is not keeping pace with student needs, supports are being cut, and issues like de-streaming and rising mental health needs require real investment. Any review of EQAO testing or student achievement must be done in full consultation with frontline educators and the unions that represent them.

The LOCAL Bargaining Survey is focused on issues that will be negotiated at the local bargaining table between your D24 Negotiation Table Team and the WRDSB (in contrast to the CENTRAL Survey that recently closed). Check your email for a message from member.engagement@d24tbu.ca containing the link to the survey. Fill it out today!

This week’s Globe and Mail story highlights growing concerns about the province’s decision to withhold EQAO results. OSSTF President Martha Hradowy said the delay created “unnecessary uncertainty for families, staff and school boards.” Our focus remains on the real issues affecting student learning: chronic underfunding, larger class sizes, and inadequate supports. Test scores alone won’t fix these challenges, but sustained investment in classrooms will.

Join us at the D24 office for an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and a wide variety of board games. After the games wrap up, we’ll head over to a local establishment to keep the fun going with some well-earned bites and brews. Register here!

This event is open to OSSTF Daily Occasional Teachers and LTOs only.

Gain tools and knowledge about how you can help neighbours, friends, and families if you suspect they are experiencing or using domestic violence at this workshop at the D24 Office, facilitated by Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and the D24 Status of Women Committee on Wed Nov 19 from 4 - 6 pm (free of charge)

The 2026 OSSTF Student Achievement Awards deadline is Wed Nov 19! Check the guidelines here - don’t forget the $250 prize for District winners in each of 12 categories, plus some have a chance to go on for the provincial $1000 prize! Our local Arts Awards Night will be on Thurs Nov 27 - stay tuned for more info!

Come celebrate having your mid-term marks done with a fun Saturday night of free bowling at Victoria Bowling Co. with OSSTF! Register as a school team OR as an individual! Both competitive and recreational divisions are available! No deposit necessary! Refreshments provided! Register early! Note: only for OSSTF members

Bill 33 takes power away from locally elected school boards and gives more control to the provincial government. That means less local voice, less accountability, and more inequity in our schools. As teachers, we know every community is different — and local decision-making matters. Learn more here and SAY NO TO BILL 33!

OSSTF/FEESO stands in solidarity with our friends in public health care. On Saturday October 4, we attended the Code Red Rally for Public Health Care, hosted by the Waterloo Region Health Coalition. We are partners in the fight against the Ford government’s privatization playbook. Save our public services!

OSSTF/FESSO stands in solidarity with the 55,000 striking workers of CUPW as they continue to face challenges in their recent negotiations with Canada Post. OSSTF members are encouraged to join them on the picket lines and show your support on social media and in conversations with friends and family.

September 30 is dedicated to recognizing and addressing the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. OSSTF/FEESO is committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of Indian Residential Schools are never forgotten. For teaching resources, and to learn more, see our Truth and Reconciliation Resources page.

D24’s Human Rights Committee will meet on Thursday Oct 2. Its goals are: to identify needs around human rights issues, develop avenues to address those needs, and create resources that generate an awareness of human rights. New members always welcome! Contact District President Pamela Germann at d24pres@gmail.com for more information.

Have your say in the next round of bargaining! OSSTF members should check your email for a link to the survey - if you haven’t received it, click here to update your contact information or email d24tbuengagement@gmail.com. Stay tuned for the LOCAL bargaining survey in the coming months as well.

Your District Status of Women Committee represented you at the Take Back the Night event in Kitchener. This event was put on by the Sexual Assault Support Centre and featured many brave survivors talking about their experience. We were able to march with these folks and lend our voices, and whistles, to the strength and healing of this experience.

OSSTF and our education affiliate unions encourage you to sign this petition to support increases to capital investments in our schools - please consider signing to avoid future catastrophes as we have seen at Elizabeth Ziegler.

The Provincial Executive is seeking members to fill a vacancy on the Employee Life and Health Trust (ELHT) Advisory Work Group. Interested members should log into the Provincial OSSTF website and check under DBUs to learn more. Application deadline is Oct. 3.

Provincial OSSTF is looking for members to serve as AQ writers for new courses in Special Education, Guidance and Career Education, and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies. Login to the Provincial OSSTF and check under DBUs to learn more. Applications close Monday Sept 15.

Join OSSTF’s Status of Women Committee at Take Back the Night, a call to end gender-based violence hosted by the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region on Thursday, September 18 in downtown Kitchener.

More than 10,000 workers are on strike, fighting not just for a contract, but for the future of post-secondary education! Ontario has the worst post-secondary underfunding in Canada — and workers are saying enough is enough!

Whether you are a student, parent, education worker, or teacher, OSSTF D24 T/OTBU wishes you a successful first week back to school. Hoping this year brings safer, better funded schools for all of us!

Candice provides support to members around benefits, leaves, medical accommodations, long term disability leave, and pensions. Please feel free to contact her at d24tbuofficer@gmail.com.

Stephen is responsible for coordinating our local communications, our website, social media, political action, and member events. He can be reached at d24tbuengagement@gmail.com.

The Ford gov’t has taken over four school boards, a move that is being condemned as an attack on democracy and a distraction from the real crisis: chronic underfunding. Learn more

This June, OSSTF D24’s Human Rights Committee put together a booth at Tri Pride’s Summerfest in Victoria Park! With our wheel of prizes and petitions for education funding, we brought the party!