Ontario's 55,000 education workers will begin their work-to-rule campaign on Monday.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced late Sunday that weekend talks with the provincial government failed to lead to a new deal between the two sides. As a result, its members, which include custodians, maintenance workers, clerical workers, educational assistants, early childhood educators and information technology staff, will cease all extra duties not specifically outlined in their job descriptions and will not work any overtime hours going forward.
CUPE education workers are in 63 school boards across the province. The union stated it will use the job action to "highlight ways that services for students have been damaged by the Ford government's cuts to education."
"What the provincial government and the trustees' associations has done is highly irresponsible," Laura Walton, president of CUPE's Ontario School Board Council of Unions, said in a statement. "The province and the CTA had it within their power to reach a fair deal that protects services for students. But instead they chose to disrupt students' education by refusing to see the deal that was there to be made. Now they have left millions of students, parents and families out in the cold."
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce called union members decision to move forward with their work-to-rule campaign "deeply disappointing."
"The Crown and the employers tabled a reasonable offer and expanded our offer through the negotiations with one interest in mind: landing a deal that keeps our kids in class," said Lecce. "We have offered proposals to address compensation, job security and funding for additional staffing. A key issue that remains is resolving rising absenteeism rates, and the impact that has on students and schools."
Both sides have stated their priority is student safety and are committed to returning to the bargaining table. No new negotiation dates have been set as of yet.
Education workers have been without a contract since August 31.