OPSEU/SEFPO Boards of Education members garnered province-wide coverage on Friday as they held a walkout to stand in solidarity with CUPE education workers against Lecce and Ford’s Bill 28. OPSEU/SEFPO members from all sectors, in addition to labour and community allies, joined the monumental show of support at CUPE picket lines and protested outside of Queen’s Park.
The unconstitutional Bill 28 legislated education workers back to work before a strike had even begun, forced them into a four-year contract and, to add insult to injury, Ford pre-emptively invoked the notwithstanding clause to block CUPE from defending their members in court – an unprecedented attack on bargaining rights in Ontario and an attack on democracy.
See a roundup of media coverage below:
Global News: Unions express solidarity with education workers planning strike, OPSEU plans walkout
CityNews: 8,000 OPSEU education workers to walk off job in solidarity with CUPE colleagues
CityNews Kitchener: OPSEU education workers to walk out in solidarity with CUPE
CTV News: OPSEU education workers to walk out in solidarity with CUPE
Toronto Star: Unions express solidarity with education workers planning strike, OPSEU plans walkout
Brampton Guardian: OPSEU education workers to walk out in solidarity with CUPE on Nov. 4
North Bay News: OPSEU workers to join Friday strike in support of CUPE
CTV News: OPSEU rep talks joining CUPE in Friday walkout
Newmarket News: OPSEU education workers to walk out in solidarity with CUPE
Hoser Media: OPSEU President @JPHornick on why she and all working people should support the strike
Blackburn News: OPSEU members to strike in solidarity with CUPE education workers