At a press conference Monday, the union said education workers would “walk out of work” in protest of the province’s move, which they called a “monstrous overreach.” Education workers could face fines of up to $4,000 a day if they strike, the legislation says. The union held the press conference hours after the provincial government announced it plans to introduce legislation to block potential employment action. The Ontario government introduced legislation Monday to force a contract on education workers and prevent a strike that was set to begin Friday. CUPE said it would explore every avenue to fight the bill, but the government said it intended to use the nullity clause to keep the potential law in place despite constitutional challenges. The derogation clause allows the legislature to override parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a five-year term.
You can see the proposed legislation for yourself at the bottom of this story.
Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, Ontario Education Minister Steven Lecce called the union’s decision to go on strike “unacceptable.” “The government has no choice but to take immediate action today,” Lecce said, indicating that the union had rejected his latest proposal, adding that it believed the legislation was in fact constitutional. “The government is going to pass the bill. We will move forward.” Ontario Education Minister Steven Lecce speaks at Queen’s Park on Monday after introducing legislation that would prevent an impending strike by education support staff and force them into a contract. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) The government has offered raises of two per cent a year for workers making less than $40,000 and 1.25 per cent for everyone else, and the education minister says the new deal would give 2.5 per cent annual rises to workers making less from $43,000 and 1.5 percent per cent increases for everyone else. The education minister said his move was not a blanket approach, saying he would continue to negotiate with other education unions.
It is unclear how long the protest could last
As for whether the job action will last more than a day, union officials said that remains to be seen. The union also said it would provide financial support for any consequences workers may face from striking ahead of the legislation. On Sunday, education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) gave the required five-day notice for action, placing its members — including teaching assistants, custodians and early childhood educators, but not teachers — on strike. full strike as early as Friday. Several Ontario school boards have said they will close schools if support staff withdraw their services. The government and education workers returned to the negotiating table on Sunday afternoon, but there appears to have been no progress since then. Officials said the province’s offer submitted Sunday would provide just a nickel more for each worker, giving the union an ultimatum. Instead of the government holding a negotiation, officials said they learned the government intended to legislate against the strike if the union did not consent. Laura Walton, dressed as Rosie the Riveter on Halloween, speaking at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Monday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) “If Stephen Lecce cared about the kids, he wouldn’t be giving $200 to the parents,” said CUPE member Laura Walton, dressed in a Rosie the Riveter Halloween costume, an American character representing women who worked in factories and shipyards during of the First World War. — a choice he said was intended to send a message. However, he said, “negotiations are not done.” Meanwhile, in a press release Monday, the Ontario Federation of Elementary Teachers said it “unequivocally” condemns the Ford government’s move. The union representing about 83,000 Ontario elementary school teachers said it ended its own negotiations with the government for Monday because it could not “in good conscience sit across from the government,” ETFO president Karen Brown said. “ETFO stands with CUPE members and their right to strike for better pay and working conditions, not a regressive government that disguises anti-labour legislation as pro-education,” Brown said. Read the proposed legislation here:
