As expected, Ontario has introduced legislation to impose a contract on education workers and avert a strike that’s set to start Friday.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce spoke this afternoon and says the bill is part of the government’s “unyielding” commitment to keep kids in the classroom.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents about 55,000 education workers, has given notice that it intends to stage a full strike on Friday.
The union says it will be looking at every avenue to fight the legislation.
The Keeping Students in Class Act would establish a four-year collective agreement that includes:
- A salary increase of 2.5 per cent (increased from an initial offer of 2 per cent) for employees with the top end of their salary/wage grids below $43,000 annually (increased from $40,000) and 1.5 per cent (increased from 1.25 per cent) for employees with the top end of their salary/wage grids above that amount for each year of the contract;
- An increase in benefits contributions resulting in a $6,120 annual employer contribution per employee by August 31, 2026;
- Funding through the Support for Students Fund, estimated to support up to 875 teachers and between 1,600 and 1,830 education workers;
- Modification to sick leave and short-term disability leave plan provisions that protect stability of student learning, while maintaining generous pension, benefits and sick leave programs;
- $4.5 million in funding for apprenticeship training; and
- An extension of modified job security provisions.
In a statement, the government says to protect against legal challenges, this Act would provide that it shall operate notwithstanding sections 2, 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
