We Cannot Let it Become the Norm
“There used to be a time when they would try to prevent violence, now it seems they are willing to accept that violence will happen and they are just trying to prevent injury”. Those are the words of a worker after I met with them to go over what they are experiencing on a daily basis in their school. It is a realization that the system is failing us and we cannot let it happen. As I write this, we are inching closer to 1000 workplace violence incidents that have been reported using the online reporting tool since September of this school year. I assure you that there are many more that go unreported on a daily basis. This is not acceptable.
Many in the public have this perception, based on media reports, that when we talk about violence in schools, we are referring to student-on-student or teenage aggression out of control. That is not the reality. The truth is that nearly all of the workplace violence being reported in our system is coming from FDK to primary-level special needs students who cannot self-regulate or de-escalate themselves. Don’t get me wrong, I am not blaming these vulnerable students, I am not even blaming their parents. The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the provincial government who has cut more than $1500 from each student since 2018 and have clawed back Special Education supports, especially ASD programming both in our schools and in the communities. This needs to change.
Every time I meet with the Board to discuss issues surrounding violence or when the bargaining team tries to make the case that something needs to be done to alleviate the violence our members are experiencing in our schools, we are met with the same refrain from the other side of the table “What violence? Where is the evidence of this violence?” Now, if there is data or reports that I can point to, the Board is forced to act or face a possible work refusal or Ministry of Labour orders. However, if there is no data or reports, it is difficult to make a strong case for action. This cannot be sustained.
That is why I implore you all to report every single incident of workplace violence. If you do not know how to, ask your school’s Staff Rep or your Designated Worker and they will gladly show you how or they will point you to me and I would be more than happy to walk you through the process. You should also know that your principals are required to give you time during the work day (not during your lunch or prep) to complete these reports. Here is a “Do’s and Don’ts” for completing workplace violence online incident reports that is available in the members area of the YCT website. Remember, when in doubt, fill it out. It is better to do it and then not need it than not do it and then realize you needed it.
There is no acceptable level of workplace violence. We cannot let workplace violence become the norm. Report it and give us the evidence/data to push the government and Board to act.
Should you have any questions, please contact me at vitototino@yctoecta.com