THE HISTORY OF TEACHERS’ UNIONS IN ONTARIO

24now, they are currently attacking the Liberal government, from which Dalton McGuintyresigned as Leader and Premier of Ontario in October 2012. It is undeniable that in recentyears teachers’ unions have been extremely active and engaged, and only time will tell ifthey will continue on their path of success in the world of collective action.ConclusionAs the teaching profession became more formalized, teachers began to seethemselves as workers who deserved basic worker rights. Through persistent effort andunifying actions congruent with social, economic, and political changes, Ontario teachersbecame a unified political force unto themselves. This was demonstrated through jobaction in the 1970s which ultimately gave teachers the right to strike and forced theOntario government to recognize teachers as a legitimate working profession entitled toits own rights and bargaining abilities. In light of recent political debates regarding theteaching profession in Ontario (i.e. Bill 115), it is necessary that those in positions toeffect change recognize the strong history of worker mentality of teachers throughout. Itis teachers’ connections with the past that will ultimately allow them to inspire theirfuture.