File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / oksun70File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / oksun70
Windsor

Little progress made in CUPE talks for education support staff

The union representing Ontario's education support workers says there's been little progress in its talks with the province.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) provided an update on contract talks Wednesday afternoon. CUPE's Laura Walton told reporters in a Zoom call that after two days of meeting with a mediator, no significant headway has been made.

While talks plan to continue as long as needed, Walton said mediation will resume as it gets closer to November 3, the date on which the union will be in a legal strike position.

"The Council of Trustees Association and the Ford government will be in mediation with the CUPE-OSBCU central bargaining committee on November 1," said Walton. "We are the lowest paid education workers in Canada's richest province, earning on average just $39,000 a year."

Wages and services, as always, have been at the forefront of negotiations, but Walton said the only progress that has been made so far has been on bereavement leave, confirming that parameters on that issue have been set.

The Ontario government has offered most workers a 1.25 per cent salary increase except for those making less than $40,000 a year, offering that group a two per cent raise. CUPE has been asking for a raise of about $3.25 per hour.

Walton said all job action possibilities are on the table, including a complete withdrawal of services. Work-to-rule has also been named as an option.

"I really hope it's not going to take that amount of pressure," said Walton. "It should be enough pressure right now that the countdown is on. But, we will be working all this week to see what it is we need to do to make sure that that pressure is in place."

Paula Walton of CUPE provides an update on talks for education support workers on October 19, 2022. Image via Zoom. Paula Walton of CUPE provides an update on talks for education support workers on October 19, 2022. Image via Zoom.

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce had previously called the government's offers to CUPE reasonable and accused the union of trying to disrupt a return to normalcy for students following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"CUPE is charging ahead with a strike while demanding nearly 50 per cent in increased compensation after two difficult years of pandemic disruptions for students," said Lecce in a statement on October 3. "As CUPE moves ahead towards a strike that hurts kids and disrupts families, leaving behind a reasonable offer that also protects the most generous benefits and pension plan in the country, we will continue to remain at the table to make sure kids stay in class without interruption right through to June."

The union represents over 55,000 education support employees across Ontario, including educational assistants, early-childhood educators, school office staff, librarians, custodians, and others.

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