Sam Hammond, head of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, told inquiring reporters today that it was not possible for the union to meet with government negotiators until Sept 1, because of scheduled union events. “We had this meeting,” Hammond said, referring to Thursday’s teachers meeting in Toronto. He also referenced another meeting in Kingston. In response to a reporter who suggested parents concerns might be more important than the union agenda Hammond said: “I’m not going to address that right now.” September 1st? What’s the rush?
Kate Middleton, 33, said to be readying to have third baby
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Province reaches tentative agreement with OSSTF
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It is a tentative agreement and ratification vote is some weeks off. Let’s hope for the best. Even Thursday morning, Paul Elliot, president of the secondary teachers federation. was talking as if a strike were moments away. He excoriated the government and school boards for their “inexcusable radical management rights agenda.” It was an angry speech to school teachers about “the war on working people.” Also Thursday morning, Sam Hammond, head of the elementary teachers union, made a fiery speech to some members. He railed against school principals and others who wanted to make decisions about testing. This was apparently well-received by the elementary teachers present. He said that if the government did not accede to union wishes it was in for the fight of its life. Hamilton Spectator
Event to honour Dave Stickney set for September 26, 2015
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Poster for Dave Stickney fundraiser
Friends and admirers of the late Dave Stickney will hold a fundraiser and social night at the Leaside Public on Saturday September 26, 2015 to help realize the goal of a proper memorial for the long time teacher and guidance counselor to the community. For details go to the special Dave Stickney site. Check out the wonderful gallery of pictures lower down.
Gender politics not science drives “pink Viagra” onto market
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It may come as a surprise. and maybe a bit of a shock. that gender politics not science has driven the pink “sex drive” pill for women onto the market. For years the FDA in the U.S. (where some women work too) has said the value of the pill barely outranked a placebo. CBC report is fascinating.
Gastromonstrosity? He finds Cola Timbit among CNE eats
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Coffee-and-donut milkshake, Baonana split, Timbits poutine, deep-fried red velvet Oreo, chicken waffle on a stick, deep-fried cheesecake, bacon-wrapped grilled cheese, garlic snow-crab fries, frosted-flake-battered chicken on a stick, the S&M (spaghetti and meatballs) burger & last but not least, poutine balls will all be on the menu at this year’s Ex.
NEWSTALK1010
Beach publisher: “Rouge” posties won’t deliver paper
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James Sears, the long-haired founder and editor-in-chief of the somewhat outrageous Your Ward News newspaper says “NDP-affiliated” postal workers are refusing to deliver 40,000 copies of his paper because, apparently, it is wrapped with a flyer promoting the New Constitution Party of Canada. Sears is the founder and leader of the party. He says he has been told by a postal official that “rouge employee(s)” at the Commissioners Street terminal attempted to declare his publication “non-mailable.” Well thank heavens the South Bayview Bulldog is subject to neither “rouge” nor “bleu” delivery. He lives in your computer Beach Mirror
Colourful posters from election campaign catch Mr. Sears position
Aboriginal chief of 39 people paid $211,000 tax free
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“Chief” presides over B.C. island reserve where a mere 17 souls reside. Total members in the Gwawaenuk Frist Nation is 39. Vancouver Sun
Is the “clown gun” for real, or a complicated sort of joke?
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It’s said that the Toronto Police Board is thinking about it. Good report from CBC explains the clown gun.
Baby saved from hotel safe in Niagara Falls, Ontario hotel
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It appears that a baby was accidentally locked in a large safe in a room of the Howard Johnson Hotel on Victoria Ave. in Niagara Falls Canada. Police don’t have the full story but news reports say that cleaning staff were approached Tuesday (August 8, 2015) by “family members or the child’s parents” in a distraught state. Management sent a maintenance person to open the safe where the baby was found to be in good condition. The child was apparently not in the safe for very long. Police were not called for about an hour and by that time the family, said to be from Brooklyn, New York, had checked out. Although it is not known how the baby got into the safe with the door closed it seems quite possible that if there were other children in the family innocent playing might have led to the distressing situation.
Teacher talks to start in two weeks (what’s the big rush?)
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Must be a case of “we’ll settle no back-to-school issue before its time.” This will not end well. Labour Reporter