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With Bill 28 repealed, education workers need a significant wage increase and funding for services that would demonstrate government’s commitment to student success

With Bill 28 repealed, education workers need a significant wage increase and funding for services that would demonstrate government’s commitment to student success

“This law should never have been adopted. Bill 28 imposed a four-year concessionary contract that would have pushed more of us into poverty while stripping us of our Charter rights, human rights, and any legal avenue to fight back.

​November 14, 2022 With Bill 28 repealed, education workers need a significant wage increase and funding for services that would demonstrate government’s commitment to student success TORONTO, ON – The following is a statement from Laura Walton, educational assistant and president of CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions: “This afternoon, Ontario’s education workers have their rights back. With the shadow of Bill 28 lifted, education workers can now focus on achieving a fairly negotiated collective agreement that meets the needs of students, families, and workers.
Statement on limiting comments to media

Statement on limiting comments to media

We will be limiting our comments to the media while in mediation to better direct our efforts to reaching a freely negotiated agreement.

Translations: FR
The CUPE-OSBCU central bargaining committee, made up of frontline education workers from across Ontario, is currently in mediation with the singular focus of negotiating a collective agreement that meets the needs of students, parents, and workers. We will be limiting our comments to the media while in mediation to better direct our efforts to reaching a freely negotiated agreement. We respectfully call on the Ford government to make the same commitment, refrain from making comments that distract from negotiations, and spend the time working to get a deal done for student success and good jobs.
Update on OLRB Proceedings

Update on OLRB Proceedings

We have received confirmation today that the Unlawful Strike Application filed by the Minister of Education has been withdrawn.

Translations: FR
Update on OLRB Proceedings November 9 2022 Many of you have inquired about the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) proceedings that occurred last weekend. We have received confirmation today that the Unlawful Strike Application filed by the Minister of Education has been withdrawn. No further actions or steps will be taken in the matter. No decision will be rendered.
Back to the table

Back to the table

The media is now reporting that an offer of 3.5% and 2% was passed. There are multiple issues with this:

November 8 2022 Thanks to your display of worker power, your bargaining team is back at the table and Bill 28 will be repealed. The media is now reporting that an offer of 3.5% and 2% was passed. There are multiple issues with this: this is not an offer that we have received we will not accept a 2 tiered wage increase such an offer would fall short of what you as workers need to ratify a deal We have been clear, a deal will be made which is a substantial flat rate increase, increases to funding to improve services that CUPE provides and improvements on working conditions.
We have our rights back – and we are going back to the bargaining table

We have our rights back – and we are going back to the bargaining table

Whatever else you’re hearing today, I want you to know one thing: today was a victory.

Translations: FR
We have our rights back – and we are going back to the bargaining table Dear members, I want you to understand what happened today, how it happened, and where we head from here. I committed to open and transparent communications with you – and I wish that there had been time to share with you directly first. Whatever else you’re hearing today, I want you to know one thing: today was a victory.
Mediation is concluded

Mediation is concluded

This afternoon we were informed that mediation has concluded.

Translations: FR
Regardless of the attempts by your OSBCU Bargaining Committee to achieve a negotiated deal that respects the needs of workers, students & families, the Ford Conservative government would not make the necessary investments to achieve this deal.
“It’s frustrating to do such important work and barely be able to make rent”: Education workers like me are being stretched thin

“It’s frustrating to do such important work and barely be able to make rent”: Education workers like me are being stretched thin

I love being an EA, but I can’t make a difference when I’m running from class to class like a chicken with its head cut off

Caterina Divilio is an educational assistant (EA) in the Durham Catholic District School Board. She has been working with special needs children for six years, assisting students who require various academic, emotional and behavioural supports in the classroom. Here, she explains what a day in the life of an EA entails and how her job has changed in recent years.
A statement from the central bargaining committee for CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU)

A statement from the central bargaining committee for CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU)

Stephen Lecce claims that the government’s latest offer is generous and meets the needs of workers. This is not true.

Translations: FR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ​ November 2, 2022 A statement from the central bargaining committee for CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU) We are waiting for a response from the Council of Trustees’ Associations (CTA) and the Ford government and remain at the table willing and ready, as we have been for the last five months, to negotiate a collective agreement that responds to the needs of students, parents, and workers.
Still Fighting For Your Rights

Still Fighting For Your Rights

Your OSBCU Bargaining Committee remains at the bargaining table.

Translations: FR
Still Fighting For Your Rights November 2, 2022 Your OSBCU Bargaining Committee remains at the bargaining table. To be clear, at this time, the legislation that is on the floor of Queen’s Park is not yet law, your rights to job action remain.We will not give up your rights, even in the face of attacks on rights by this government. We are actively negotiating with the parties - as soon as we have concrete information to share we will.