Unifor condemns Minister Lecce’s imposed contract and back-to-work law
Unifor members across Ontario are preparing to stand with CUPE workers who could walk off the job Friday
TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2022 – Unifor unequivocally condemns Minister Lecce’s imposed contract and preemptive back-to-work legislation, Keeping Students in Class Act standing in full support of CUPE education workers.
CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn promised at a news conference on Monday that school support staff plan to walk off the job on Friday as part of a day of protest.
“On Friday, regardless of what this legislation says our members will be engaging in a province-wide protest. That means no CUPE education workers will be at work,: said Hahn. “Our union and others have been effective in challenging governments in the courts and we won but all too late for workers. Enough is enough. We may in fact challenge this in court but we are first going to challenge it in our communities. We are not going to allow our rights to be legislated away.”
Unifor say they stand with CUPE education workers and already on Monday night the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) sent out an email asking all parents and guardians to seek alternate arrangements for their kids. They said it “will have no option but to close all schools for in-person learning” on Friday if the walkout goes ahead.
“This is not a decision that we take lightly and we have explored every possible contingency plan to keep schools open,” reads the TDSB email to parents.
“CUPE education workers, including educational assistants, janitors and support staff are some of the lowest paid workers in Ontario’s education sector and they have a right to negotiate for better working conditions. Minister Lecce must meet them at the table, not unlawfully revoke their right to strike,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Unifor will be behind these workers and all workers who stand up against the Ford government’s unprecedented attempt to diminish worker’s rights to bargain better working conditions.”
This fall, the 55,000 members of CUPE Ontario’s School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) issued the required 5-day strike notice on Sunday, October 30, 2022. Minister Lecce responded by tabling legislation, invoking the Notwithstanding Clause, to impose a contract on the workers and pass legislation prohibiting a strike.
“This is a dark day for workers’ rights in Canada. Workers must have a say in our own working conditions. Without the right to strike, we are all subject to the whim of the boss, or in this case, of Minister Lecce, to set our working conditions,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. “Unifor members across Ontario are preparing to stand with CUPE workers as they demand that Lecce negotiate instead of legislating.”
The education workers are bargaining for wage increased after four years of facing Premier Ford’s Bill 124 and 1% wage caps. Bill 124 has been challenged by workers in the Ontario Superior Court.
OSBCU states that members earn just $39,000 per year on average, with more than half having to work a second job. The lowest paid in the sector, education workers faced a real wage cut of 11% over the last 10 years due to provincial wage restraint legislation.
The Province says in an attempt to reach an agreement and protect in-class learning for nearly two million students, the government extended an updated proposal to CUPE that enhanced Ontario’s offer, but CUPE is proceeding with strike action, even after a good-faith attempt by the government to deliver a deal that is fair for workers and good for students.
The Province says to ensure students remain in stable classrooms, the Keeping Students in Class Act would, if passed, establish a four-year collective agreement for Ontario’s 55,000 education workers that ensures stability for students and includes:
- A salary increase of 2.5 per cent (increased from an initial offer of 2 per cent) for employees with the top end of their salary/wage grids below $43,000 annually (increased from $40,000) and 1.5 per cent (increased from 1.25 per cent) for employees with the top end of their salary/wage grids above that amount for each year of the contract;
- An increase in benefits contributions resulting in a $6,120 annual employer contribution per employee by August 31, 2026;
- Funding through the Support for Students Fund, estimated to support up to 875 teachers and between 1,600 and 1,830 education workers;
- Modification to sick leave and short-term disability leave plan provisions that protect stability of student learning, while maintaining generous pension, benefits and sick leave programs;
- $4.5 million in funding for apprenticeship training; and
- An extension of modified job security provisions.
“Students are finally back in class catching up, following two years of pandemic disruptions. We are disappointed that CUPE is refusing to compromise on their demand for a nearly 50 per cent increase in compensation, representing a price tag close to $19-billion if extended across the sector,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “CUPE has now made the decision to strike, putting their own self interest ahead of Ontario’s nearly two million children, who deserve to stay in class learning. We are delivering on our promise to parents that our government will do whatever it takes to keep students in class, so they can catch up and get back to the basics of learning.”
At this point there has been no word on whether the one-day walkout will continue beyond Friday or not
Other articles from totimes.ca – mtltimes.ca – otttimes.ca
