October 28, 2024
JAMES (JIM) FORSTER
13 October 1931 (Sunderland, UK) – 25 October 2024 (Toronto, Canada)
Jim led a career dedicated to improving the conditions of the members and staff of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. He was the District 15-Toronto (pre-amalgamation) President. He was OSSTF Provincial President from 1974-1975 and then worked at OSSTF Provincial Office from 1976-2001, retiring as its Associate General Secretary and first Member Emeritus.
To recognize his work for equity and human rights, on his retirement, the Federation established the Jim Forster Human Rights Award.
Jim was in his element chairing OSSTF’s Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly. Jim worked with Premier Bill Davis to produce the School Boards and Teachers’ Collective Negotiations Act (1975), one of the more progressive pieces of bargaining legislation anywhere, until repealed by the Harris government.
Jim was also an Executive Board Member of the International Federation of Free Teacher Unions (IFFTU) and its successor EI (Educators International).
He was an avid horse racing fan and onetime thoroughbred owner.
Jim leaves his partner of 45 years, William (Bill) Edwards.