The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), who represents 55,000 education support workers in Ontario, are celebrating after Premier Doug Ford confirmed on Monday that recently introduced legislation, Bill 28, would be rescinded and negotiations would stat back up at the bargaining table.
CUPE officials say the bill would have imposed a “regressive contract” and stripped the education workers in Ontario of fundamental Charter rights.
In Toronto on Monday, CUPE’s National President Mark Hancock credited the victory to the power of worker solidarity across public and private sectors, but especially the courage and determination of education workers.
“CUPE’s frontline education workers, 70% of whom are women, stood firm,” Hancock said, in a media release.
“They took on the Ford government. And the government blinked. We’ve shown that when our rights are under attack, our movement is strong – and we will stand up for each other.”
Laura Walton, president of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU), said the work of the members is what repealed the bill.
“This is unprecedented,” Walton said, in a media release.
“The organization of the members moved the government to this place, and the mobilization of our members will ensure that a real deal is achieved at the table.”
CUPE officials added: “This isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. The work is not over, but it’s clear that Canada’s labour movement will back CUPE’s education workers in Ontario until they achieve a fair collective agreement with the wage increases they deserve.”
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, for a press conference on “education union negotiations” at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Provincial officials say.
“I’m glad CUPE has agreed to withdraw its strike action so kids can return to class,” Premier Ford tweeted on Monday.
“We’ll be back at the table to negotiate a fair deal — for students, parents, workers and taxpayers.”
After two days of closures, schools across the Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB) and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) are open on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
“We thank you for your patience and support through the uncertainty during the past week,” John Howitt, Director of Education for LKDSB, stated on the board’s website.
Scott Johnson, Director of Education for SCCDSB, added: “We recognize that there is still much work to do at the bargaining table, in negotiations between CUPE provincial and the Ontario government. We continue to pray that the two sides will reach an agreement that is fair for all parties.”
More background can be found, here.
We’ll provide more details as they become available.
