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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 22, 2013 · 14 Students at the bottom of the `food chain' By Chelsea Liu Grade 12, Abbey Park H.S. I n war, civilians suffer the worst collateral damage. They are often sacrificed for the sake of achieving the "greater good." In modern-day economics, we call those dead civilians a high-risk investment -- in the warzone of Bill 115, the students are the civilians. How many times have we heard the same rhetoric -- rhetoric of democratic rights, collective bargaining, and "the last resort"? And how many times have we pondered the legitimacy of this rhetoric? On Monday, Jan. 28, 18 executives from the Organization of Ontario Secondary Students (OOSS) met with OSSTF President Ken Coran to gain a better understanding of the Bill 115 conflict from the OSSTF's perspective as well as to voice student concerns. As one of the 18 students who eXhIbIT space avaIlable march 22-24, 2013 November 8-10, 2013 careporT ceNTre hamIlToN as loW as $2.50/sQ.FT. spoke with Coran, I believe this conflict has turned into a food chain where the bigger fish eat the smaller fish, and where the smallest fish have no chance of survival whatsoever. The government had decided to use teachers' salaries and benefits to pay Ontario's debt, and the union was forced to take out its anger towards the government on the students by taking away an integral part of students' educational experience. We students are at the very bottom of the food chain. According to Coran, negotiations between the government and the OSSTF had gone awry from the very beginning. He cited the government's neglect to follow the proper bargaining process as per the Ontario Labour Relations Act as well as their unwillingness to negotiate openly as the primary sources of frustration for the OSSTF. Coran stated that the union is only on the path of "work-to-rule" as a last resort because rallies at MPP offices were "simply not enough." This situation will be in limbo until one of the two sides is willing to concede. But would the OSSTF really give up their "democratic rights" -- at the risk of losing face -- after they have taken such pains to protest? After the meeting with Coran, we believe that the answer is a definitive "no." And the government, already up to its neck in debt, would not succumb to the demands of a union whose members now have no legal right to strike. To concede will not only be equated to waving the white flag, but also set precedents for future negotiations. So what have we learned from the meeting with Coran? Well, it is clear that neither party is willing to concede ground for the sake of the students. That is why I believe now, more than ever, is the time for students to take action. We are at the bottom of the food chain and the only way that our predicament will improve is if we take charge of the situation. This means that we must get informed, get involved, and speak out. When asked if teacher participation in extracurricular activities will eventually be reinstated, Coran said he hoped so. Well, we hope so too. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in an upcoming Kids Speak Out - School News column featured in the Beaver, please e-mail Tom Dykes at ellergreen58@gmail.com. Whether it's brand name fashions, electronics, appliances, sporting goods, hot tubs, spas or even the kitchen sink, the Super Sale is Southern Ontario's largest consumer warehouse sale! sosupersale.com coNveNIeNT locaTIoN · Located off HWY 403 · Over 100,000 sq. ft of available exhibitor and storage space on one level reach a NeW DemoGraphIc · Proven attendance · Target the Spring and Christmas buyer with a "two-show" rate CALL TO BOOK YOUR SPACE TODAY! 905-526-3512 or 1-800-263-6902 x3512