Conducted by Abacus Data, the poll released late Sunday morning provides a look at how Ontarians are responding to the ongoing contract dispute between 55,000 education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the government of Ontario.
It was held on Friday and Saturday as CUPE members walked off the job to protest a new law giving them a four-year contract and banning strike action.
“This initial public opinion survey in Ontario finds that many people are following this issue closely and are aware of the provincial government’s actions so far,” the research firm’s CEO David Colletto said in a post accompanying the findings.
According to the poll, 62 percent of Ontarians believe the Progressive Conservative government is to blame for the school closings caused by the jobs action.  That number rises among parents of school-age children, with 68 percent saying Ford’s computers are to blame for the ongoing situation.
When it came to using the extension clause to promote a contract to workers, 50 percent thought it was a bad idea compared to 36 percent who approved.  Among parents, 46% think the controversial clause should not have been invoked, while 42% think using it was a good idea.
When asked what the government should do next, 70 per cent said they wanted the government to “negotiate a fair deal with education workers” to end the strike rather than continue with its current approach of insisting on lower wage growth for workers.  .
“One reason Ontarians want the provincial government to negotiate a fair deal with education workers is because about half believe they don’t make enough money,” Coletto said, adding that 50 per cent of respondents believe that education workers are not suitable.  compensated due to the rising cost of living.
The poll also found that nearly half of Ontarians support other unions walking off the job to protest the Ford government’s handling of negotiations.


Little effect on computer support 
While many point the finger at the PC government for the ongoing situation, the poll found the issue “doesn’t appear to be hurting” Ford’s support across the province.
Parents of school-age children are split, with 31 per cent saying they are more likely to vote Progressive Conservative and 38 per cent less likely.
According to the poll, the PCs would still win another majority government if an election were held today.  They have a big lead among men and people aged 45 and over.
“…while more people say they would be less likely to vote PC than more likely to vote PC because of the government’s handling of this issue, the proportion of those turning away from the PCs is not large enough to worry the Tories “, Coletto said.
On the public’s impression of the prime minister, the poll found that Ford’s image has become less positive since his election in June, with 45 percent having a negative impression compared to 29 percent who have a positive view.
For Stephen Lecce, only 15 percent have a positive impression of the education minister, while 42 percent have a negative view.


METHODOLOGY  
The survey was conducted with 1,000 Ontarians aged 18 and over from November 4 to 5.
A random sample of participants was invited to complete the survey by a panel of partners based on the Lucid exchange platform.
The margin of error for a comparable random sample based on probabilities of the same size is +/- 3.1 percent, 19 times out of 20.
Data were weighted according to census data to ensure the sample matched the Ontario population by age, sex, education and region.  Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.