Bottom line, Ontario is drowning in debt. It can't continue. All those mines, mills, factories, industries that have closed in Ontario that most teachers never give a second thought to? Well, those were good paying jobs that pay solid taxes that help fund schools. There is a reaction to losing revenue.Right now it is all about cuts to education, teachers are just asking for cost of living.
10,000 fewer teachers in the next 5 years is a big deal.
Most workers in the private sector do not see annual salary increases just because.
The Ontario Government has not said no to raises. They've just said that all public sector employees, including teachers, will receive a 1% salary increase per year for 3 years. That's better than nothing. (Which is what they should get.)
I don't think it's asking a lot.
And frankly, it proves my first point. It IS all about the money.