KAWARTHA LAKES-Custodians, early childhood educators and administration staff in Ontario schools have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action the Canadian Union of Public Employees announced today.
“Front-line education workers in communities across Ontario have sent the Ford Conservative government a powerful message: they believe in the value of public education and the value of public education workers, and they’re willing to walk the picket line to stand up for it,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock and National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick in a press release.
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education says he is disappointed but not surprised with the result
“While these results are not surprising given that education unions have voted to hold strikes against families for nearly five decades, we are still extremely disappointed with the results. CUPE is charging ahead with a strike while demanding nearly 50 per cent in increased compensation after two difficult years of pandemic disruptions for students.” said Lecce.
CUPE says over 45,000 education workers represented by the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) voted and 96.5 per cent have of them have voted in support of strike action. According to Renneck 83 per cent of the 55,000 members voted.
“While the vote doesn’t guarantee that a strike will happen, it does make one thing clear: an unstoppable majority of education workers in Ontario have had enough with the Ford government’s underfunding, undervaluing, and undermining of public education. They have said enough with the unfair and indefensible status quo that hurts workers, students, families, and communities.” explained the union.
Lecce says the government offer was reasonable.
“As CUPE moves ahead towards a strike that hurts kids and disrupts families — leaving behind a reasonable offer that also protects the most generous benefits and pension plan in the country — we will continue to remain at the table to make sure kids stay in class without interruption right through to June.”
The real losers here will be the kids who have had their learning disrupted for the past three years.
