Support Grows for Striking Education Workers

While mediation ended on November 3 without a negotiated settlement as the government refused to negotiate, support is growing for the education workers of the Ontario School Boards Council of Unions. 

On November 3 the Ontario Public Service Employees Union announced that its 8,000 education workers will walk off the job Friday in solidarity with the 55,000 Canadian Union of Public Employees education workers who will engage in a political protest tomorrow. OPSEU represents close to 8,000 members working in boards of education as educational assistants, child and youth workers, designated early childhood educators, autism support workers, deaf blind interveners, lunch monitors, early childhood educators, clerical workers, IT specialists, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and ESL, among others.

A letter from OPSEU President JP Hornick sent to members stated: "We will support every OPSEU/SEFPO education worker who does not attend work this Friday. If you are not attending work, join the nearest CUPE picket rally, if you can."

"Your union will have your back. You will not have to pay any fines. And you will have the full force of OPSEU/SEFPO behind you should your employer attempt to enact any discipline.

"We have 8,000 education workers in our union. If you all walk out together on Friday, there is safety in numbers. Talk to your colleagues. Make plans with them to attend a nearby CUPE rally together.

"You didn't ask to be on the front lines of this fight, but you are strong. And we will have your back when you go out on Friday."

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This article was published in

Volume 52 Number 41 - Nomember 3, 2022

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmld2022/Articles/D520412.HTM

Website:  www.cpcml.ca   Email:  editor@cpcml.ca