Freedom Flyer 19

the official newsletter of the
Freedom Party of Ontario

December 1991

Union declares war on tax fighters...

Fp TARGETS UNION TACTICS
WITH INFO CAMPAIGN

LONDON, ST. THOMAS - (Aug. 1, 1991) - In response to planned municipal election tactics outlined in the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation's April 1991 Political Action newsletter to its members, Freedom Party produced and distributed its first Ontario Information Bulletin in a door-to-door mail drop campaign to counter the union's strategy. The union tactics, aimed against any trustee candidates endorsed by the Ontario Taxpayers' Coalition, were geared to continue the myth that quality education is only possible through constantiy increasing taxes.

"With its powerful influence and millions of dollars in union dues at its disposal, the teachers' union just may win its war against the taxpayers of Ontario," Fp leader Robert Metz warned in a public statement. "Parents, taxpayers, and trustee candidates concerned with ever-increasing tax burdens will have to double their efforts simply to be heard above the propaganda campaign."

SALARIES NOT THE ISSUE, SAYS METZ

"The education issue is not about teachers' salaries," said Metz. "It's about who controls our education system. Should it be the unions and special interest groups, or should it be the parents, students, and taxpayers who use and pay for the education system?"

Metz argued that those who believe concerned taxpayers are "teacher-bashers" simply haven't been listening. "In fact," said Metz, "I can't see any reason why excellent teachers couldn't earn even more, while ineffectve teachers might earn less or simply should not be teaching. When was the last time you ever heard of a teacher being fired for failing to meet the needs of students?"

Fp's information bulletin specifically quoted seven of the key tactics the OSSTF outlined in its own newsletter - and offered the party's own interpretation of what the union's strategy would really mean in practice.

REACTION

Reaction to Fp's informaton campaign proved its effectiveness. Aside from the unprecedented media attention generated, we learned from a trustee candidate in Niagara Falls that the OSSTF, in its questionnaire to trustee candidates there, included a question asking how they felt about Freedom Party's education position. Since many had never heard of the party, the interest generated was most welcomed.

OSSTF president Liz Barkley, though "diametrically opposed" to Freedom Party's campaign, was quoted by the London Free Press as saying that it is "simplistic to say the solution to high taxes is to cut spending," and argued that "an overhaul of the entire tax structure is needed, federally, provincially, and municipally, to sort out a range of societal ills from Medicare to pensions." The irony in her statement is that that is exactly what Freedom Party and tax coalition groups have been saying all along and that groups like the OSSTF have always been the main obstacles to such an overhaul being made.

Below on the left are quotes from the union's own newsletter; to the right is our interpretation.

WHAT THE UNION SAYS:	WHAT THE UNION REALLY MEANS:
1. "...the tax revolt messiahs... ..risk intimidating trustees and trustee election candidates who defend quality education programs."	1. Ordinary people concerned with high taxes don't know what they're talking about and their influence threatens union power over the education system.
2. "We must help local taxpayers appreciate that the the target of their concern should be federal and provincial politicians, not local trustees and councillors."	2. Let's deflect taxpayer attention away from the responsibilities of trustees within the education system - even though this is a municipal election. Voters are so stupid they'll fall for it.
3. Our proposed fightback campaign (includes) bolstering responsible incumbents, finding responsible candidate alternatives, countering tax revolt candidates."	3. We'll support incumbents and candidates who will spend more and raise taxes, and we'll oppose fiscally responsible candidates, despite their commitment to quality education.
4. "It is important to package (our) message in terms of the public interest. Colour the message."	4. Let's tell the public that they're getting a great deal, never mind the fact that increased spending on public education has not produced a corresponding increase in the quality of education.
5. "We must help seniors see that the students now in school will be the workers whose taxes will help pay their pensions. A good education is the best guarantee that they will be productive."	5. Let's threaten seniors' sense of security by implying that higher education taxes and the teachers' union is their main guarantee of financial security in retirement.
6. "...the behavior of this and future generations of students will be vital to seniors' safety and well being. Do they really want ill-educated thugs running the streets?"	6. Let's use scare tactics on seniors and imply that they'll get beat up by thugs it they don't support us
7. "...we can make it clear to the media that we will use our resources in those media most sympathetic to the needs of quality education..."	7. Let's bribe the media with our advertising dollars. If they want our business, they'll have to support our campaign for higher taxes and more spending.