According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), negotiations will resume Tuesday morning in the presence of a mediator.
A spokesman for Doug Ford’s office said the government would introduce legislation on Monday to repeal its special law 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 been out of work since Friday to protest the passage of special legislation the previous day, which would have imposed a four-year contract on them that would limit their raises and prevent them from striking. 1.5% or 2.5% of salary per annum depending on their income.
The Ford government also included in its special legislation to prevent any legal challenge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (commonly known as the Notstanding Clause).
School Board Council of Unions President Laura Walton announced the win after Doug Ford’s interview on Monday. She salutes the resistance of the education workers who defied the special law.
” You have proven that you can stand up to a bully. »
Without imposing a deadline, it does not rule out resuming the strike if it is unable to reach a negotiated agreement with the Union government. Ms. Walton adds, however, that union members’ priority is to have a negotiated contract.
National President of CUPEMark Hancock, who also attended Monday’s press briefing along with other union leaders, noted that Bill 28 contains It united the labor movement like never before
.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association argued this A great victory for all those fighting for rights and freedoms in Ontario
.
Doug Ford’s flip-flop
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s ready to “down his wine.”
Photo: Radio-Canada
Earlier on Monday, Premier Doug Ford defended the use of special legislation at a press briefing last week, saying the union had walked out of the bargaining table and the government had “no choice”.
But 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 “hugely extended hand.”
Later, he tweeted expressing his happiness over the decision CUPE To resume negotiations 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. »
Mr. Ford also took aim at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was criticized for using it despite the rules. We reserve the right to use it
Mr. Ford replied, Mr. Trudeau is accused of specifically targeting Ontario in his criticism.
The Ontario premier also challenged his Canadian counterpart to hold constitutional talks with the provinces about the clause if he wanted to. He said that he was against this idea.
The NDP is ready to sit down
The leader of the official opposition in the legislature, New Democrat Peter Tabuns, urged Doug Ford to immediately recall members of the House to repeal the special law and negotiate a collective agreement that would provide ‘fair compensation for education workers.
” It is in the Prime Minister’s hands to resolve this dispute. »
Greens leader Mike Schreiner said the government was trying to “intimidate”. CUPE “Totally failed”.
” Nothing justifies the use of the clause even if it deprives workers of their right to collective bargaining. »
Illegal strike or protest?
Striking school support workers demonstrated again Monday outside Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Photo: Radio-Canada
Last week, Minister Lexy asked the Ontario Labor Relations Board to declare the work stoppage illegal and impose fines on strikers, as provided in separate legislation, which could reach $4,000 per person. $500,000 for the strike and their union.
The Labor Relations Commission will issue its decision on Monday after hearing the arguments of the parties in the hearing held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The CUPE He said Friday’s work stoppage 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 by invoking a provision in the charter.
According to CUPEThe commission’s decision follows a decision by the Ford government 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
Trade union leaders from CUPE-Quebec is scheduled to participate in a demonstration Monday in front of the Ontario Legislative Assembly in Toronto “as a sign of solidarity with front-line education workers.”
According to a press release from CUPE-Quebec, the first time in 50 years that the union has supported pressure tactics outside of Quebec.
The Ford government should also negotiate with teachers’ unions to renew their collective agreements.
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