CUPE education staff in Ontario schools vote to strike if talks with province break down

Support staff in Ontario schools have voted in favour of a strike should negotiations with the province and boards falter.

Some 45,433 support staff voted, with 43,821 in favour of strike.

The strike vote, which began last month and wrapped up Sunday, was called by CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions as talks continue, though now with the help of a conciliator as little progress has been made.

CUPE was the first to serve notice to bargain — the day after the June 2 provincial election — and is well ahead of all other education unions in talks, having exchanged offers with the province.

The union is seeking a roughly 11 per cent wage increase annually, while the province has offered a two per cent increase each year over four years for those making less than $40,000 and a 1.25 per cent annual raise for those earning more than that.

CUPE represents 55,000 educational assistants, early childhood educators, custodians and office staff in many boards across the province. Its members earn an average of $39,000 a year, though that figure includes part-time workers.

The strong strike vote will bolster negotiators at the table, though it does not mean a strike is in the works.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has said the government will do everything possible to ensure kids remain in class — and has not rules out back-to-work legislation — especially after the past two years of disruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Should talks fail to land a deal, the union would likely first engage in a work-to-rule job action.

In any event — and unlike teacher strikes — a full-out strike by CUPE workers would not shut down schools right away, though special needs students would be immediately impacted if their aides are on the picket lines instead of helping them in class.

Kristin Rushowy is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @krushowy