November 26, 2024

CUPE awaits Ontario’s response to its counter offer as strike looms

CUPE #CUPE

By Allison Jones The Canadian Press

Posted November 2, 2022 6:07 am

Updated November 2, 2022 12:35 pm

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Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says he won’t negotiate the details of a counter offer from the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ education workers unless they cancel plans to strike on Friday.

The 55,000 workers such as early childhood educators, educational assistants and custodians plan to walk off the job Friday, despite looming legislation that would make it illegal.

The Ontario government has introduced a bill – and is hoping to pass it this week – to impose a contract on the education workers and ban them from striking upon threat of steep fines.

CUPE negotiators presented a counter-offer late Tuesday night in response to the imposed contract terms in the legislation, but Lecce suggested today it may not spur a renewed round of talks.

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He is telling them, “Take the strike off the table and let’s talk.”

The union has not provided details of its new proposal.

Click to play video: 'Premier Doug Ford defends use of notwithstanding clause to impose contract on education workers'

2:40 Premier Doug Ford defends use of notwithstanding clause to impose contract on education workers

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