Broad Support for Ontario Education Workers
Spirited Rally Denounces Ford Government
Over three thousand workers and youth rallied in front of the Ministry of Labour in Toronto on November 1 to denounce the Ford government's legislation that criminalizes Ontario education workers. On October 30, their union, Canadian Union of Public Employees' Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (CUPE-OSBCU) had served notice, in accordance with the labour law, that they would strike on November 4 if negotiations for a new collective agreement were not successful. The government, in response, tabled legislation on October 31 that imposes a four-year contract and strips the workers of their right to strike for the life of the collective agreement. Because such anti-worker action would not withstand a court challenge the government also invoked the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Education
workers, teachers, health care workers, nurses, government workers and
industrial workers joined the rally to listen to speeches from leaders
of the Ontario Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour Congress, the
Canadian Union of Public Employees, CUPE Education Workers, Ontario
teachers' unions, OPSEU, community organizers and the Canadian Vice
President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers who spoke on behalf of industrial workers.
All the speakers condemned the legislation and pledged their support for the CUPE education workers' decision to walk off the job on November 4 if no negotiated settlement has been reached. The call was given for workers in all sectors to join them in whatever actions are organized for that day and beyond, to talk to their co-workers, families and friends about what is going on and for parents to keep their kids home from school that day in support of the workers.
It was repeatedly emphasized that the government's attack on the CUPE education workers is an attack on all working people in Ontario and more, something that will be watched by provincial governments across the country. During the election, one speaker said, Ford made a big deal of courting industrial workers, promising good jobs with good pay, but this legislation shows the government's real attitude towards workers' rights and shows that all Ontario workers have to vigorously support the CUPE workers in fighting the legislation.
Several pointed out that by invoking the notwithstanding clause Premier Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce were saying to all Ontario workers that they are fully aware that the legislation violates workers' Charter rights and human rights, that they are determined to ensure that no court will stop them, and workers should just get used to it because the Ford government has the power to do what it pleases.
Following the speeches there was a march to Queen's Park where the legislative sitting for the day had ended. Slogans denouncing Ford and Lecce and the legislation and expressing the determination of workers to defend their rights rang out all the way and at Queens' Park where speakers from OPSEU, the Ontario Nurses Association and the interim leader and labour critic of the NDP denounced the legislation and pledged their support for the workers.
The spirit of the rally and march was one of defiance of an unjust anti-worker law and of a government which uses police powers to trample on rights. Everyone is called on to join actions organized by and in support of CUPE education workers on November 4.
(Photos: TML, CUPE Ontario, CUPE 4400, ONA, L. Meskine, C-L Paul)
This article was published in
Volume 52 Number 40 - November 2, 2022
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmld2022/Articles/D520401.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca