The union representing 55,000 Ontario education workers, such as custodians, librarians and early childhood educators, is taking steps that could lead to possible job action in less than three weeks.
According to the Canadian Press, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced late Friday afternoon that it has requested a no-board report stating it has reached an impasse with the Ford government after two days of contract talks.
If a conciliator issues a no-board report, a decision which could take several days, it sets a 17-day countdown to the union being in a legal strike position.
Laura Walton, president of CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions, said that while there’s still time to negotiate, the union needed to take this step to increase pressure on the government.
“Here we are at the table… couple of key things missing – Lecce & a real deal that respects education workers, students & families. Happy to welcome either. We will fight for the one!” Walton wrote in a tweet, accompanied by a picture at the bargaining table Friday afternoon.
Here we are at the table… couple of key things missing – Lecce & a real deal that respects education workers, students & families. Happy to welcome either. We will fight for the one! #39000KIsNotEnough pic.twitter.com/BKRxzEqeXe
— Laura Walton (@waltonmom) October 7, 2022
In response, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said Friday afternoon that he “can’t imagine parents and kids are sitting down this weekend giving thanks to education unions’ relentless pursuit of classroom disruptions.” Lecce added that the province “will remain at the negotiating table ready to reach a fair deal that recognizes education workers already have the most generous pension and benefits plan, including 131 paid sick days.”
We will ensure children remain in class. Period. pic.twitter.com/fdjWnMVrbB
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) October 7, 2022
On Monday, CUPE announced that it has the mandate to strike from 96.5 per cent of its members. The union said it is looking for annual increases of 11.7 per cent, about $3.25 more an hour. In response, the province offered a two per cent increase for those who make less than $40,000 an hour and 1.25 per cent more for all other members.
