CUPE provides 5 days notice of a potential strike across the province on Sunday
The Ontario government will submit legislation Monday to prevent strikes by education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Servants (CUPE).
Earlier on Sunday CUPE gave the five-day notice needed for the employment action, positioning 55,000 workers - including educational assistants, carers and early childhood educators - to go on full strike as soon as Friday. The government and education workers returned to the negotiating table Sunday afternoon but Education Minister Stephen Lecce issued a statement late Sunday saying unions remained on their feet.
"Since CUPE refuses to withdraw their intention to strike, to avoid closing classes, we have no other choice but to introduce legislation tomorrow [Monday], which will ensure that students remain in class to pursue their learning," Lecce said in a statement. that.
CUPE represents workers such as carers, PAUD educators and administrative staff, not teachers
Several Ontario school boards have said they will close schools if support staff fully withdraw their services.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clariington Catholic School Boards all said they would not be able to operate safely if CUPE members were out of work.
Deadlock on wages
Mediated talks between the province and the union stalled earlier this month, with the two sides still far apart on wages.
The gap continues into Sunday's session as the countdown continues towards a potential strike.
"No one wants to go on strike, let alone the lowest-paid education worker who can barely pay our bills," Laura Walton, president of the Ontario CUPE School Board Union Council, said in a statement Sunday.
"However, we need a significant wage increase and we deserve it."
In an earlier statement, Lecce said he hoped CUPE would budge on demands he described as unreasonable, but said the government would do what was necessary to keep students in school.
"We are at the table with a fair offer that includes a raise and maintaining the most generous pension and benefits package, but most importantly - it keeps the kids in class," Lecce said in a Sunday news release.
"If CUPE moves forward with strikes and disruptions, we will act to keep students in class so they can continue to catch up."
Several Ontario school boards have said they will close schools if support staff fully withdraw their services.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clariington Catholic School Boards all said they would not be able to operate safely if CUPE members were out of work.
Deadlock on wages
Mediated talks between the province and the union stalled earlier this month, with the two sides still far apart on wages.
The gap continues into Sunday's session as the countdown continues towards a potential strike.
"No one wants to go on strike, let alone the lowest-paid education worker who can barely pay our bills," Laura Walton, president of the Ontario CUPE School Board Union Council, said in a statement Sunday.
"However, we need a significant wage increase and we deserve it."
In an earlier statement, Lecce said he hoped CUPE would budge on demands he described as unreasonable, but said the government would do what was necessary to keep students in school.
"We are at the table with a fair offer that includes a raise and maintaining the most generous pension and benefits package, but most importantly - it keeps the kids in class," Lecce said in a Sunday news release.
"If CUPE moves forward with strikes and disruptions, we will act to keep students in class so they can continue to catch up."