"I have met so many teachers on the road and almost every single teacher that comes up to me and the first comment, that comes out of their mouth is, I apologize for the way the union is acting, that says it all."
ONTARIO - The major teacher unions in Ontario have filed a challenge with the labour board over back to school plans.
They claim the government has not adequately responded to health and safety concerns. Specifically they want to see smaller class sizes and more ventilation at schools. The AEFO, OSSTF, ETFO and OECTA have 190,000 members. This file with the labour board is not expected to impact students returning to class next week.
Premier Doug Ford is pleading with the teachers unions to work with him.
"I have come up here many times and I will do it again, I am begging now for the teacher unions to work with us. I support our front line teachers, they are incredible, I have confidence they are going to step up to the plate and do an incredible job in keeping our kids safe and teaching our kids. I just don't understand, we have worked with every organization, ever labour organization, every single group in the entire country, of all different political strikes and every single 1, 99.9 percent of everyone is getting along, accept for one group, it's the teachers union."
Ford says he doesn't understand why the teacher unions are being so difficult.
"I'll work with you, everything you have wanted, we have given you, we have put $1.6 billion dollars into education, more than anyone, more than anywhere in the country. You wanted ventilation, you got ventilation, you wanted more money for teachers, we got more money for teachers, we went out and got the reserves, we got more cleaning, we basically covered every single item on the list and I'm just asking, just once, for your cooperation."
Ford says the teachers are not impressed with their union right now.
"I have met so many teachers on the road and almost every single teacher that comes up to me and the first comment that comes out of their mouth is, I apologize for the way the union is acting, that says it all. My message to the teachers is I think the world of you, I have all the confidence and I know you are going to do an incredible job for our kids and get through this start as safely as possible.
You can listen to Fords comments below.
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