It’s back to the bargaining table for the province and CUPE, the union representing 55-thousand education support staff in Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce held a news conference this morning – their second in as many days – saying the province has brought a better offer to the table, although he wouldn’t get into specifics.
“I want to take care of the lower income workers, which I’ve always believed, right since day one when I was elected,” Ford said. “We’ve shown that, no matter if we’re increasing minimum wage or giving them the rights they need, so that’s what we’re going to focus on, the lower income workers.”
Ford plans to repeal the controversial Bill 28 on Monday.
The union remains in a legal strike position should talks with the government break down again.
Meantime, the opposition NDP are accusing Ford and Lecce of taking “a victory lap” and not repealing the legislation immediately.
“They need to negotiate a fair deal with education workers that guarantees our kids will have the support of caring adults in the classroom,” interim leader Peter Tabuns said in a written statement. “Mr. Ford and Mr. Lecce are serious about bargaining in good faith and ending disruption in schools, why aren’t they calling back the legislature immediately to repeal Bill 28 and restore the rights of education workers? Let’s see the legislation right away so we can make sure it actually repeals Bill 28 and doesn’t sneak in any surprises.”
