Leslie Bock is an educational assistant in Barrie, a single mom, and a member of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 330. Simcoe.com recently featured Leslie in a story about how high rents have pushed her out of the city. But that’s only half the story.
Rents are too high – but education workers’ wages are also way too low.
The average gross yearly salary for education workers is $39,000, and they are laid off for 13 weeks every year. The average rent in Barrie for a two-bedroom apartment is $23,520 per year ($1,940/month) – almost three-quarters of the average education worker’s take-home pay.
As education workers across Ontario go into bargaining this fall, remember Leslie Bock and all the other education workers who make sure our kids have all the supports they need in school. They deserve to earn enough money to cover their living expenses at the very least. Education workers shouldn’t have to take on second jobs to pay the rent.
OPSEU/SEFPO is proud of Leslie for having the courage to share her story with the media. Let’s have her back and those of all education workers in the province during bargaining!