The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents custodial, early childhood and education support workers, began the strike Friday, despite legislation fast-tracked by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that bans the strike and mandates unilaterally contract employees. Ontario’s Conservative government has also weighed in, saying it is unwilling to back down against an “illegal strike.” “Nothing is more important right now than getting students back into the classroom, and we will use every tool at our disposal to do that,” provincial Education Minister Steven Lecce said in a statement. Ontario quickly passed Bill 28 earlier this week, which fines striking workers C$4,000 ($2,955, £2,260) a day – almost an entire month’s wages for the average worker. The law also fines the union $500,000 per day. The union estimates the strike could cost nearly $200 million a day. Lecce said the government would seek to collect the fines. The legislation also mandates a union contract that includes annual wage increases of 2.5 percent for workers earning less than $43,000 and 1.5 percent for those earning more. The union had initially asked for an 11.3% increase for workers, citing stagnant wage growth and high inflation. Talks collapsed earlier this week, even after the union’s proposal was cut by more than half. The provincial government said it would not negotiate if the union called off its planned strike. Ontario’s actions have drawn concern from civil rights groups and federal leaders. When he passed Bill 28, removing the right to strike and unilaterally imposing a contract on education workers, he invoked the Constitution’s Extension Clause, shielding the law from a lawsuit and giving the union minimal recourse. Justin Trudeau tweeted that he spoke with Doug Ford on Thursday and expressed his disappointment that the prime minister’s actions were “wrong and inappropriate.” Ford responded that his administration would pass the legislation to “keep classrooms open and ensure stability” for parents and students. “An important part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is crumbling before our eyes,” the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, warning that Bill 28 breaks down the rule of restraint for governments to invoke the clause and set other rights – freedom of speech, freedom of religion – in danger. The Ontario government has asked the labor council to force the workers back, but Laura Walton, president of the Cupe Ontario School Boards Council, said staff will only return to work when an agreement is reached or members decide otherwise. Walton also told parents to make contingency plans for childcare for the coming week.
