Hundreds of CUPE members picket SDSG MPP’s office

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Car horns blared support along Second Street East on Friday as hundreds of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 4154 educational workers, and their supporters, hit the picket line outside of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry MPP Nolan Quinn’s office. 

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Quinn’s office stood quiet and closed, with all of its lights off, which angered those picketing and passing by.

The Ford government passed controversial legislation on Thursday enacting Bill 28, or the Keeping Students in Class Act, making it illegal for 55,000 CUPE members to strike. The law uses the notwithstanding clause to protect itself against Canadian Charter challenges, and fines could be imposed. SDSG MPP Nolan Quinn voted in favour of enacting Bill 28. 

One could say it was foreshadowing when in May, before Quinn’s election, regional CUPE members attended his campaign office — which was further west on Second Street at the time — with the hopes of Quinn signing a pledge letter to show his support for education workers. He was out of the office then too, and did not respond. 

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The Standard-Freeholder did not receive a comment from Quinn about the strike prior to publication Friday.

According to Trudy Scott, local CUPE 4154 president, teachers and principals joined the picket line, showing support for educational support staff on Friday November 4, 2022 in Cornwall, Ont. Shawna O’Neill/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Shawna O’Neill /Shawna O’Neill/Standard-Freeholder

CUPE 4154 president Trudy Scott noted Quinn was set to attend the grand opening of a brewery in South Stormont on Friday afternoon, saying “he probably thinks the brewery is more important.”

Scott’s CUPE division represents about 450 members — including secretaries, custodians and maintenance keepers, EAs (educational assistants) and ECEs (early childhood educators) — and just about every worker was out picketing with a sign or wearing purple.

“We are also in Hawkesbury, Brockville, and Smith Falls. We have roughly the same amount in each spot… all of us across eastern Ontario, we are at four different sites today, together,” she said, mentioning this includes CUPE 5678 and 4155 workers.

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“It’s very nerve-wracking for members with what the provincial government has done to us,” she said. “But we are in it. We are sick and tired of legislation. We are tired of the government freezing our wages. We deserve a fair living wage and our students deserve more in the schools… we’ll be back here on Monday morning. We are going to be here until this government removes the legislation or until we receive further direction from… our central bargaining team.”

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CUPE has been pushing for an 11.7 per cent increase in salary for members, which it says would equate to about $3.25 more per hour across the board. As of Thursday, an offer was on the table for a roughly six per cent wage increase. The Ford government said it would not entertain further negotiation until threats of strike dissipate.

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Article content Educational workers and supporters came out in hundreds to support the CUPE strike outside of SDSG MPP Nolan Quinn’s office on Friday November 4, 2022 in Cornwall, Ont. Shawna O’Neill/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Shawna O’Neill /Shawna O’Neill/Standard-Freeholder

In the Cornwall and SDG region, schools across three schools boards closed to students on Friday, with classes pivoting to online delivery. This included schools with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB); the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO); and, the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO).

Schools of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien (CSDCEO) French-Catholic board remained open, but are planning to close to students and pivot to online delivery starting Monday. 

“The government kept us out of schools for way too long. (Ontario) was the province that kept students out of school the longest… we absolutely feel students need to be in schools but they need to get what they deserve in schools,” said Scott. “We’re not doing this just for ourselves. This is for our students. We work short (staffed) in the schools every single day. We see our students struggling, students with special needs not getting the help they deserve. That’s why we are out here.”

Educational workers and supporters seen walking along Second Street East as part of the CUPE strike outside of SDSG MPP Nolan Quinn’s office on Friday November 4, 2022 in Cornwall, Ont. Shawna O’Neill/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Shawna O’Neill /Shawna O’Neill/Standard-Freeholder

“We need to survive. Inflation has gone up like crazy but (our wages) haven’t… we work with some precious cargo,” said educational assistant Shelley Edwards. “I’m really sorry I voted (for the Progressive Conservative government).”

shoneill@postmedia.com

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