Ontario education workers in legal strike position

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced today that 50,000 education workers across the province could walk off the job in early November.

The union representing 50,000 education assistants, school custodians, and administrators says the Ministry of Labour has issued a no-board report which is a formal step meaning a conciliation board will not be appointed and a strike could legally start in 17 days, on November 3rd.

CUPE official Laura Walton says the union started mediation this morning, and they still want to reach a negotiated agreement.

Walton says education workers have taken forced pay cuts for the last two years and now their wages are being eroded even more by high inflation.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the government has made a reasonable offer and will remain at the table to make sure kids stay in class without interruption.

The government is offering an increase of two per cent for workers making under $40,000 a year and 1.25 per cent for others.

The union is asking for a wage increase of 11.7 per cent for everyone.

NDP education critic, Chandra Pasma says education workers need a raise, “it’s deeply disappointing that Doug Ford and Stephen Lecce have let things drag on until the school year of our children is in doubt.”

A strike deadline of November 3rd doesn’t necessarily mean a strike will start then. The union and government are continuing mediation this week. The union hasn’t said anything about a possible work-to-rule or some other measure besides a strike.

CUPE has to give five days notice before any strike takes place.