David Berger, a teacher and president of the Kawartha Pine Ridge Teacher Local, has been elected to the provincial Executive of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

“Our public education system is under attack by governments that continue to undermine students’ learning conditions under the guise of austerity. These are not just policy decisions; they’re direct threats to our working conditions and to the well-being of students and educators,” says Berger. “I’m ready to join ETFO’s provincial Executive in standing up to government cuts and fighting for the schools that students and educators deserve.” 

Berger began his teaching career with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in 2007, where he taught French before moving into full-time local union leadership in 2015. He held the positions of chief negotiator, grievance officer, and first vice-president before his election as president of the teacher local in 2021. Berger is currently a member of his board’s Joint Health and Safety Committee, and an Equity and Diversity Committee representative. 

Provincially, Berger represented ETFO on the Ontario Teachers’ Federation’s International Assistance Committee, and has served as a member of ETFO’s Budget, New Member and Collective Bargaining Committees, as well as the Humanity Fund board. In addition to his union work, Berger is currently the president and chief executive officer of the Peterborough Kawartha NDP and sits on Peterborough District Labour Council.

ETFO represents approximately 84,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Visit BuildingBetterSchools.ca.