Ontario Education Workers’ Union Votes overwhelmingly in favour of job action

BY PAUL JUNOR

The announcement of a strike vote by Ontario education workers, which includes early childhood educators, custodians, and school administrators was expected.

On Monday, October 3^rd, 2022, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced that its approximately 45,000 education workers voted resoundingly in favour of job action. In a statement from CUPE National President Mark Hancock and National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick they revealed the result of this vote. CUPE, who represents some of the lowest-paid workers in the education system, voted affirmatively to send a signal to the Ontario government.

The members of CUPE began voting on September 23^rd, 2022, and completed them on Sunday, October 2^nd, 2022. The vote was prompted by OSBCU which occurs concurrently with the negotiations between the union and the government. Talks were held on Thursday, October 6^th, 2022, and Friday, October 7^th. 2022, which will be followed up by two upcoming dates during the rest of October.

On Monday, October 3^rd, 2022, Laura Walton released a statement at a press conference, “Tens of thousands of education workers across this province voted to send a message that education cuts are not acceptable, that more frontline education staff is urgently needed for students to succeed and it’s time for a meaningful wage increase for us, the lowest paid education workers who earn on average $39,000 a year. No one wants to strike, especially not the lowest-paid education workers. In Ontario, but education workers have said very clearly that if this government will not budge, we are willing to strike for a contract that is good for families and workers.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford had a response to this, “To the unions, the teachers’ unions: please don’t go on strike. Don’t force my hand. I’m a strong believer in negotiating, but do not go on strike.” Education Minister Stephen Leece has indicated that all steps will be taken to keep students in school including back-to-school legislation.

On Saturday, October 14^th, 2022, it was announced that a mediator had been appointed to work with CUPE and the Ontario government. In a statement directed to Ontario’s Minister of Education, Stephen Leece he notes, “We will do whatever it takes to keep students learning so that they can catch up on what matters: reading, writing, and math. That is why we are pleased to enter private mediation with CUPE and the Council of Trustees’ Associations starting Monday, October 17^th, 2022. We will never waver from our belief that students must be in class for the entire school year, surrounded by their friends, learning the life and job skills that will help them catch up.”

CUPE will be in a legal strike position on Thursday, November 3^rd, 2022. This came after a conciliator issued a “no board report “ after it was requested by CUPE on October 7^th, 2022 with the talk coming to a standstill. A seventeen-day countdown is in effect as the union inches to a legal strike position, although it will be given five days’ notice in advance for any future job action.

On Wednesday, October 19^th, 2022, Colin D’Mello of Global News tweeted that “Contact talks between CUPE and the Ford Government have broken down, setting the stage for a strike.” He was told by Minister Leece that “The government will act to keep kids in school, signalling legislation to prevent job action.” Parents, guardians, and caregivers are concerned about what will happen in the next few months.