OUR COMMITMENT
Building Union Power members are committed to creating the kind of fighting union you need to take on the issues you care so deeply about and win the changes you want and need in your schools.
When Teachers unite and pool resources and power, you have the strength to challenge what you don’t want, and create what you do, school by school, and local wide.
It’s about prioritizing the methods that truly build your collective power, and create the structures, supports, knowledge, skills and confidence you need to make this happen.
TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN
Talk to every ETT member - you and your co-workers are “the union”; knowing each other and your issues lays the groundwork for school and local actions and campaigns.
Organize to take on the key issues you identify, like unacceptably large class sizes, a lack of response to health and safety issues, bullying Administrators, diminishing resources for our most vulnerable students, school discipline concerns, and a lack of meaningful input into the decisions that impact your school communities and yourselves.
Build the strong structures in each of your schools to take effective, direct action, shift power dynamics, and ensure the victories you win are long-standing.
Prioritize the crucial relationship building you’ve begun with parents and community groups. A broad alliance creates the power you need to fight for strong schools, strong communities, and a government that is truly responsive to the needs of all.
Modernize and revitalize our union by using the tried-and-true organizing methods that Teacher Unions across North America, from British Columbia to Los Angeles to Chicago, have used with such success.
BY JOINING BUILDING UNION POWER, YOU AGREE TO SUPPORT…
An equitable, fair, anti-racist education system, with improved school-based supports.
The creation of an ETT Research and Organizing Department to build the research-based expertise and power you need for consistent wins.
The tried-and-true methods you know build power, such as one-on-one conversations, site-based action teams, and running coordinated, escalating actions on your key issues.
Regular training to build the knowledge and confidence you need to take effective action on your key issues and concerns.
Building and expanding the crucial relationships and alliances with your parent communities and community-based organizations
Support the Building Union Power candidates in the upcoming ETT election.
Let’s Build Union Power Together to Win the Schools You and our Students Deserve!
Our Priorities
We have accomplished a lot together in these last two years, but there is much that remains to be done. These next two years are a chance for us to continue building the power of our union.
6 ways we will work to continue Building Union PoweR:
Empowerment Over Fear
Together we can overcome the fear of reprisal from school administration and embrace collective action for change. Your voice is crucial in shaping the future of education.
Addressing Systemic Issues
We will tackle racism and inequality in schools, promote inclusivity and champion an inclusive education system that stands against racism and supports every child.
Member Engagement
Deepening our connection to Members with more direct, frequent, and timely communications so that your voices are heard.
Resource Allocation
Every school deserves adequate resources to thrive. We will ensure Jane and Finch, Rexdale, and Scarborough are not left behind by focusing on the critical need for adequate resources in underserved communities.
Teacher Support
We have and will continue to empower teachers by advocating for smaller classes, proper prep time, and valuable PD. You’re not alone in this fight.
Community Involvement
Our movement continues to encourage active involvement from teachers, parents, and public education supporters through signing up for updates and participating in campaign activities
What We’ve Delivered Together
Our slate is built on real work, real wins, and real organizing inside our schools.
Defended members through investigations, sick leave, and workplace conflict
Strengthened prep time enforcement through tracking and compliance
Secured prep payback victories for thousands of educators
Organized with members to address violence and unsafe working conditions
Won added staffing, safety plans, and Board accountability
Built stronger school-by-school organizing and member engagement
Helped protect member rights through bargaining, surplus/transfer, and grievance work
Strengthened contract language, consultation, and enforcement tools
Built alliances with parents, labour, and community partners
Advanced equity and inclusion with social justice committees
Organized collectively to win gains in the local collective agreement
Levelling Up Our Union Power
Push back against ERPs becoming normalized in schools
Build a modern union infrastructure with stronger digital tools and systems
Win big in bargaining for better working and learning conditions
Fully enforce the contract and win outstanding grievances
Organize around violence, workload, and underfunding
Fight for fully staffed, properly resourced classrooms
Strengthen steward networks and grow member leadership
Expand alliances with parents, labour, and the community to fund public education
