CUPE and the Ontario Federation of Labour are holding an emergency rally at the Ministry of Labour at 5 p.m. to support CUPE education workers, and then we’ll march to Queen’s Park. If you’re in the Toronto area, join OPSEU/SEFPO there!
DATE: Tuesday, November 1, 5:00 p.m.
MEET: Ministry of Labour, 400 University Avenue, Toronto
INFO: https://ofl.ca/event/hands-off-emergency-rally/
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has decided to legislate a contract and no-strike legislation on CUPE education workers instead of bargaining with them. This attack on their bargaining rights is an attack on all union members, including OPSEU/SEFPO education workers who are also in bargaining right now.
CUPE is standing up to them: “On Friday, regardless of what this government does, we will be engaging in a province-wide political protest where no CUPE education worker will be on the job until we get a real deal.”
OPSEU/SEFPO stands with CUPE as they take this historic action against the Ford government. Take action with us!
Why do we stand with education workers?
Both CUPE and OPSEU/SEFPO education workers are the lowest-paid staff in our schools. They earn an average of $39,000 per year, and the schools are so understaffed that it has created a dangerous and stressful environment for both students and staff.
Last week, OPSEU/SEFPO released a short video featuring education workers who have experienced daily violence in schools – their workplaces – because of severe understaffing caused by low wages, unsafe working conditions, and underfunding by the provincial government.
Watch “Written in the Scars” on YouTube:
It is important to fight back against a government who would rather divert $365 million from desperately needed classroom funding to make small, one-time payments to parents for private tutors. That money should be invested in schools and programs – and the education workers who support students at school.