Students protesting against illegal teachers' strike. Click on image for expanded photo and photo caption.
Photo: Michael Jordan, London Free Press

LONDON - (October 31, 1997) - Fp leader Lloyd Walker and Fp president Robert Metz were among a concerned group of 30 Londoners calling themselves Parents Against Unions Stopping Education (PAUSE) who protested outside the offices of the Ontario Public School Teacher's Union (OPSTF) on Commissioners Road West. Across the street, about 100 teachers were picketing in front of the constituency office of London South MPP Bob Wood. (Coincidentally, Freedom Party's office is only one block away.)

Locally organized by Fp member Craig Stevens and concerned parent Cindy Theriault, the counter-protest to the illegal walkout by teachers objecting to the provincial government's Bill 160, the event was to focus public attention on three major issues: (1) the unlawfulness of strike action, (2) the implications of teachers becoming poor role models, and (3) the campaign of "misinformation" being spread by teachers' unions.

"The majority of our children's teachers are hardworking and dedicated and we appreciate them," said Theriault. "But today we are very, very disappointed in them. We know they have concerns about Bill 160 but we ask that they fight this battle on their own time and STOP using our children as political pawns."

The half-hour counter-protest was enough to draw the attention of the media and to make the point.

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Page last updated on April 28, 2002