Ontario education workers’ union vote in favour of strike mandate

Ontario education workers, which include all support staff in schools, have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike mandate. The union is calling on the Ontario government for a wage increase of 11.7 per cent and they’re asking for more employees.

There are thousands of support staff in Ontario schools and they include early childhood educators, librarians, custodians, and administration. The union says many are working other part-time jobs just to make ends meet.

The union has asked the government for an increase of $3.25 per hour. The Education Minister’s office said today they have given a reasonable offer that also protects the most generous benefits and pension plan in the country, but the union says that’s not what they are looking for.

The union says a strike will be the last option. Over 96 per cent have voted in favour of a strike.

The Education Minister’s office says talks will continue and the government’s plan is to keep kids in class without interruption until the end of the school year.