End of Ontario-backed labor strike; Schools open on Tuesday

According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), negotiations will resume Tuesday morning before a mediator.

A spokesman for Doug Ford’s office said the government would introduce legislation to repeal its special law on Monday and wanted to get back to the negotiating table. As fast as possible.

Several school boards, including the Toronto Public and English Catholic boards and MonAvenir, confirmed the reopening of their schools on Tuesday.

Union members have not gone on strike since Friday to protest the adoption of the special law barring strikes. 1.5% or 2.5% salary per annum depending on their income.

The Ford government also included a clause in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (commonly known as the preemption clause) in its special legislation.

School Board Council of Unions President Laura Walton announced the victory after Doug Ford’s tweet on Monday. He salutes the protest of the academic staff who violated the Special Act.

” You’ve proven you can stand up to a bully. »

Without setting a deadline, it has not ruled out resuming the strike if the union cannot reach an agreement through negotiations with the government. However, Ms Walton adds that union members’ preference is for a negotiated agreement.

National President of CubeMark Hancock, who attended a press conference on Monday with other union leaders, said Bill 28 is in place. He united the labor movement like never before.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association argues that it is a Big win for all those fighting for rights and freedoms in Ontario.

Doug Ford’s flip-flops

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s ready to “cut down on his alcohol.”

Photo: Radio-Canada

Earlier on Monday, Premier Doug Ford defended the use of special legislation at a press conference last week, saying the union had left the bargaining table and the government had “no choice”.

Nevertheless, he said he was open to resuming negotiations and offering “more help to low-income workers” in exchange for an end to the strike. He called his offer “a great outstretched hand.”

In a tweet, he later expressed his happiness about the decision Cube Negotiations must resume to reach a “fair deal for students, parents, workers and taxpayers.”

” I’m ready to water down my wine. But they should do the same. »

Canadian Prime Minister Justin and Mr. Ford shot the arrow Trudeau criticized him for using the rule. We had the right to use itMr. Ford replied, Mr. He accused Trudeau of specifically targeting Ontario in his criticism.

Ontario’s premier has challenged her Canadian counterpart to organize constitutional debates with the provinces if she wants to. He added that he opposes the idea.

NDP ready to sit down

New Democrat Peter Tabuns, the official opposition leader in the Legislature, called on Doug Ford to immediately recall members of the House to repeal the special law and to ‘negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would provide fair compensation for education workers.

” It is up to the Prime Minister to resolve this conflict. »

Green Party leader Mike Schreiner said the government’s attempt was to “brutalize”. Cube “failed miserably”.

” Nothing justifies the use of this provision to deprive workers of their right to collective bargaining. »

Illegal strike or protest?

Striking school support workers demonstrated again outside Queen’s Park in Toronto on Monday.

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Photo: Radio-Canada

Last week, Minister Lecce told the Ontario Labor Relations Board that the strike should be declared illegal and strikers could be fined up to $4,000 per person for each day, as provided in special legislation. $500,000 to the strike and their union.

The Labor Relations Commission is expected to deliver its decision on Monday after hearing arguments from the parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Cube He said Friday’s strike was not an illegal strike but a political protest. The union argued that the government had imposed a collective agreement on its members and suspended their right to strike, barring any legal recourse to defy the provisions of the charter.

According to CubeThe commission’s decision follows the Ford government’s decision to repeal the special law.

The union said over the weekend that its members will not return to work until Premier Ford and his education minister suspend Bill 28.

Support from Quebec

Union leaders from CubeQuebec was to take part in Monday’s demonstration in front of the Ontario Legislature in Toronto “as a sign of solidarity with leading education workers.”

According to a press release from Cube-Quebec is the first time in 50 years that a union has supported pressure tactics outside of Quebec.

The Ford government should also negotiate with teachers’ unions to renew their collective agreements.