The Canadian Union of Public Employees said workers will walk off the job Friday and beyond, despite legislation that would make a strike illegal. Educational workers include early childhood educators, teaching assistants and guardians. The Toronto District School Board says it will keep schools closed for the duration of the strike because it cannot ensure schools will remain safe for students, and many other school boards across the province plan to close schools or move in distance learning for Friday. CUPE said it presented a counteroffer late Tuesday, but Education Minister Steven Lecce said Wednesday the government would not negotiate unless the union called off its job action. The province’s legislation includes a four-year contract and would ban strikes, with steep fines if workers don’t comply. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 3, 2022.
