Upping the ante is CUPE lead school staff negotiator Laura Walton (centre) announcing a five-day notice of a full strike by school staff (not teachers) which would occur October 7. The issues are typically fogged in language that leaves citizens wondering exactly what’s at play. Here’s the CBC description.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the government and the employers tabled a reasonable offer and expanded their offer through the negotiations with one interest in mind — landing a deal that keeps kids in class.
“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,” Lecce said.
President of CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions Laura Walton told CBC News those proposals aren’t enough. The union walked away from the table because the sides are just too far apart, Walton said, adding that the job action won’t put student safety at risk.
“When you’re not able to provide language that ensures that boards do not have unlimited power to cut jobs, then we have a problem. Now it becomes just a stop gap measure instead of addressing the real need, which is minimum standards of services within our schools.”
