CUPE demanding promised benefits

Union representatives for Ontario’s school support workers are calling on the Liberal government to implement the benefits won in a deal at Queen’s Park last year.

CUPE says the provincial government is not forcing all school boards to apply Bill 122, meaning some workers are receiving lower levels of long-term sick leave. Ontario CUPE president Fred Hahn warns this will affect how they negotiate with the province in the future.

“For us this is a matter of common sense. If you enter in to an agreement with somebody, and they don’t honour it, why would you go back to try to make another agreement with them?”

“It’s been a year. Our members have been incredibly patient and they have been trying very hard to work this out. But they are now at the end of their rope.”

Workers have already begun information pickets across the province, handing out brochures about their concerns. They say children will suffer the most, especially those with special needs who require support workers in the classroom.