The Canadian Union of Public Employees has confirmed a full strike starting Monday if a new contract can’t be reached for education workers in the next couple of days.
President of CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions Laura Walton says their goal is to get a deal done.
“I think it’s unfortunate that you have to serve notice before anyone believes you’re serious. You shouldn’t have to remove your services for someone to value them and I’m not sure why every single time we’re in negotiations we have to get to this point before the government understands. They’ve had 167 days.”
Walton says the province refuses to put money on the table that address staffing concerns.
This fight started with a focus on services for students. Parents swelled our lines to demand better for their children and we’re not prepared to back down now.”
Walton says they have reached middle ground on wages with the government offering a one dollar an hour increase a year for all employees but she notes labour dispute was never just about wages.
“We wanted early childhood educators in every kindergarten class. We wanted EA’s supporting not just students with special needs but having the appropriate time to do so. We wanted every student to have every possible opportunity to grow and achieve. This government said no over and over.”
Education Minister Stephen Lecce is urging the union to call off what he calls a “needless strike”.
“We did everything we said we would to workers of CUPE to get a deal that keeps kids in school. We are absolutely committed to a fair deal. We’re going to stay at the table.”
Lecce says the province has offered an extra $335 million to address the union’s demands while agreeing to an across-the-board flat wage increase.
He adds the government has not requested in concessions.
Lecce stresses, “This should not be something that is done in this province ever so casually, strikes every few weeks. Kids deserve to be in school. I urge the union to stay at the table. Let’s get a deal that’s fair for the workers and keeps kids in the classrooms.”
