As education workers press on with their fight for stronger health and safety measures in their workplaces, all of OPSEU’s members, including those in the Hospital Professionals Division, stand in solidarity with them.
COVID-19 numbers in Ontario continue to rise and supporting our education workers is key in making sure that hospitalization numbers stay low. We must protect the immunocompromised, the elderly, and our children. The last thing any hospital professional wants to see is a child come through the emergency doors.
Health and safety measures in schools are important not only for the workers in our schools, but for every single child and adult in our province. Since this pandemic has begun, we’ve all made significant adjustments to our daily lives to lessen the burden on our healthcare system. As we head into the colder months and the academic year progresses, we must continue these efforts.
When education workers ask for limits to class sizes and stronger health and safety standards in schools, they are not only looking out for their safety, but the safety of students and families as well.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas echoed the support expressed for education workers, but added praise for all front-line OPSEU members: “From the start of this pandemic, OPSEU members from every sector have put themselves in harm’s way to support and protect the people of Ontario. The list is extraordinarily long and rather than risk missing any front-line worker, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every one of our 170,000 members who have proven yet again that public services make the difference.”
In solidarity,
Sara Labelle, Chair of OPSEU’s Hospital Professionals Division