Another strike deadline has been set as talks between education workers in Ontario and the Ford Government have broken down once again.
CUPE, the union representing 55,000 school support staff, including education assistants, early childhood educators, administrative staff, custodians, and other non-teaching positions, says they remain committed to reaching a fair deal before potential job action on November 21st.
Laura Walton, president of CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions says the government categorically refused to put money on the table to give students the type of learning environment they need.
“This has never been just about money, that’s what the Premier and the Minister (of Education) want you to believe, this has always been about the services,” Walton said during a news conference. “An ECE for kindergarten, extra cleaning in our schools…we don’t have enough people in the schools keeping them clean because that money is gone.”
Education Minister Stephen Lecce expressed disappointment this morning, saying the province is at the table ready to land a fair deal that invests more in lower income workers and keeps kids in class.
Ontario NDP Education critic Chandra Pasma released a statement in response to CUPE’s strike notice.
“Yet again, Doug Ford and Stephen Lecce are risking disruption to our kids’ school year by refusing to come to the table with a deal that provides our students with the vital supports they need,” Pasma said. “We need to invest in our kids and our schools by ensuring that there are enough EAs, ECEs, custodians, library workers, and other education workers to keep our schools running safely and effectively.