The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has served another strike notice, leaving education workers poised to walk off the job again in Ontario, according to the province’s education minister and the union.
In a statement Wednesday morning, Stephen Lecce said that since talks resumed a few days ago, the province has presented multiple offers that would add “hundreds of millions of dollars across the sector, especially for lower-income workers “, but so far CUPE has rejected them.
“I think it’s totally unfair to the kids. It’s unnecessary,” Lecce said, speaking to reporters at Queen’s Park. “We should have these discussions at the table, to get a deal for both members and our children. And I think we’re all disappointed that this is the path the union has taken.
“But this government will remain resolute and remain focused at the table to get a deal, especially knowing that we have offered a better option with more money: a significant increase, hundreds of millions of dollars more for the lowest paid workers.”
In a statement issued Wednesday morning, CUPE said education workers have warned of a possible province-wide strike, which could begin in five days.
The statement says CUPE’s central bargaining committee of the Ontario Council of School Boards Unions (OSBCU) was able to reach a middle ground with the province on wages, but alleges the government “went refuse to invest in the services students need and parents expect, precipitating this escalation.” .”
In the statement, Laura Walton, chair of the CUPE Ontario School Board Union Council, said the union is focused on improving jobs for education workers as much as improving services for students
The province offered a 3.59% increase, according to the union
At a news conference later Wednesday, Walton told reporters the province has offered workers a $1/hour raise for each year of a collective agreement, which would be a 3.59 per cent increase .
“Let me be clear, this is a victory for workers. But it is not enough,” he said. The sticking point in the talks, Walton said, is the province’s refusal to invest money in new student services.
CUPE said it is still seeking assurances of higher staffing levels for educational assistants, librarians, custodians and secretaries, and an early childhood educator in every early childhood classroom and not just classes with at least 15 students.
“We have five days before this strike notice period expires. That is five days for this government to recognize the opportunity it has to make a difference in the lives of two million Ontario students,” he said Walton to reporters. “Five days, and then educators, parents and all allies who care about youth and public education in this province will make their voices heard once again.
“Present an agreement that actually helps students catch up.”
Controversial legislation repealed
The province previously passed a law called Bill 28 on Nov. 3 aimed at preventing 55,000 CUPE workers from striking.
But thousands of workers, including educational assistants, librarians and custodians, walked off the job earlier this month anyway, closing many schools in the province to face-to-face learning for two days.
Last week, Prime Minister Doug Ford offered to withdraw the legislation if CUPE members returned to work, which they did.
The law was repealed on Monday.
When pressed by reporters Wednesday about whether any back-to-work legislation is in the works, Lecce reiterated that the province will remain at the negotiating table.
The education minister said the mediator for the discussions has asked both sides to ensure discretion, so he could not offer many details, but said the province’s latest offer included salary increases for all workers, with the largest increases set for the lowest-ranking members of the union. .
Mark Hancock, national president of CUPE, said at Wednesday’s press conference that none of the union members really want to be on strike.
“Strike is always our last resort, and it’s never something we take lightly,” he said. “Our members would rather be in schools working and helping kids succeed in their classes than walking a picket line.”