Ottawa reacts to school security used as union bargaining chip
Schools leave front doors unlocked as support staff refuses to monitor intercom during job action
Parents of some elementary school students shared their anger after the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board informed them schools with locked front doors would leave doors unlocked.
This happened in response to support staff members who stopped monitoring the intercom system as part of job action beginning Monday.
The security of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottawa?src=hash">#Ottawa</a>'s elementary schools is now a bargaining chip: <a href="http://t.co/NksIRykeCj">http://t.co/NksIRykeCj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onpoli?src=hash">#onpoli</a> <a href="http://t.co/LjZwjQl1pI">pic.twitter.com/LjZwjQl1pI</a>
—@CBCOttawa<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> It is outrageous that those in charge of our child's safety can even consider leaving doors unlocked as a bargaining tactic.
—@Origswee<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> Major fail by a Union looking for support??
—@Aussie5Heron<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> I'm not at all happy that our children's safety is being potentially compromised. Sanctions shouldn't include this.
—@Coffey_Grounds<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> Kids should never be pawns in big people games.
—@NoelPaineNot all schools lock their doors, as some parents pointed out.
<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> Would be interested to know how many schools this actually affects. My kid's school does not usually keep front door locked.
—@ScottCathNo high schools have intercom systems and only 60 of 126 elementary schools decided to install the system after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.
Those who don't have the system use a policy where all visitors must sign in at the principal's office and get a guest pass.
The decision by support staff members, represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF), to stop monitoring the intercom system led to schools unlocking doors to allow for children, staff and parents to enter and exit.
Some were upset the unlocked door issue was being shared widely to attract anyone looking to take advantage.
<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> Good to publicize this on radio so that nut cases now know that schools are more accessible to them!
—@WendellWard3The decision also angered Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod, who said she was hearing concern from her constituents.
MacLeod then went on a seven-part Twitter essay to explain her anger.
As MPP I've often tried to keep unions in the education sector accountable, today, as a mother, I am disgusted that my child's school.. 1/?
—@MacLeodLisa...will be unlocked. I am angry that the union has decided to advertise this in the media. A few years ago we had big fanfare in Ontario 2/?
—@MacLeodLisa....about increased school security. For good reason, too. Let's not forget the reasons why we increased school security. Incidents in 3/?
—@MacLeodLisa...Ontario and in the United States showed us how vulnerable elementary students are. As a province we have an obligation to keep 4/?
—@MacLeodLisa...children safe. That means so do the teachers unions , education support unions. Protecting kids is not an extracurricular activity 5/?
—@MacLeodLisa....it is not an optional task in a school day. Operating a functioning security system in Ontario schools is necessary for student 6/?
—@MacLeodLisa...student safety. The actions of the Union are appalling. The Ontario Government must act today to protect Ontario students. -30-
—@MacLeodLisaSome other parents argued with MacLeod's central point about locking doors, saying schools should not be locked in the first place.
<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> since when do we lock elementary school doors? Why? Safer society then when I was in elementary 20 years ago...
—@TJKip<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> In fairness, keeping the doors locked doesn't "protect" kids from anything.
—@Flakeloaf<a href="https://twitter.com/StuMillsCBC">@StuMillsCBC</a> Locked door policy didn't exist before two years ago IIRC. Schools existed for decades without it.
—@paul_in_ottawaPeople also shared their opinions on CBC Ottawa's Facebook page.