Pressure increasing in school labour talks
Some Ontario teachers wore red to school last Friday to demonstrate their support for public education.
One day earlier, the union representing 55,000 support staff at the province’s schools triggered a process that could lead to a strike or work-to-rule.
And all week, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce stressed that his priority was to ensure deals were reached with all the province’s education unions to keep kids in the classroom.
Trouble is brewing in Ontario schools as negotiations continue to replace contracts with education workers that expired at the end of August.
Things will amp up this week, too. In Ottawa, CUPE members who work at the Ottawa Catholic School Board plan a rally on Tuesday and a strike vote on Thursday.
It’s taking place against a backdrop of changes introduced by the province that increase class sizes and cut some programs.
Anxious parents and students are wondering what’s next. Will there be a work-to-rule? A strike?
It’s still early. Most education unions are in the preliminary stages of negotiations.
Bargaining often features threats, rhetoric and spin as both sides try to gain leverage and sway public opinion. That’s in full throttle. Education unions warn the province is destroying the public education system, with some high school classes stuffed with 40 children or more, and courses and services cut.
Lecce criticized the “preparing for battle” rhetoric, pledging to “rise above the partisan challenges and put the students first,” as he put it in an interview with radio host Craig Needles.
Lecce said he sympathized with parents going through a cycle of anxiety every three or four years, wondering if there will be a labour disruption at school.
But the signs are not good.
One major flashpoint is the government’s announcement that high school class sizes will increase from an average of 22 to 28.
School boards have begun raising class sizes and cutting courses at high schools, although the situation varies across the province.
In Ottawa, the English and French public school boards plan to maintain average class sizes of 22 this fall. At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, classes were estimated to rise to an average of 23.5 students, while the Ottawa French Catholic School Board said the information could be requested through the Freedom of Information process.
The controversial proposal will be a central issue in bargaining with Ontario’s high school teachers.
In interviews, Lecce suggested class sizes might be reduced from 28 if unions and trustees brought forward “innovative solutions” to save money during bargaining. He promised to listen to any idea in good faith.
Lecce also emphasized there had been essentially no change in high school class sizes this fall. On average, Ontario boards have only boosted class sizes to 22.5.
The president of the union representing English public high school teachers, Harvey Bischof, calls Lecce’s remarks “disingenuous at best.” There has been no change in the plan to increase class sizes to 28 over the next four years, he said.
Bischof said he sympathized with students and parents over their anxiety, but blamed the government. “Had the ministry not announced their intention to cut one-quarter of the high school teaching staff and an unknown number of support staff, none of this unrest would have occurred.
“The problems in the system right now, the blame for that, lies entirely at the feet of the government. It’s not the case that we have suddenly ambushed the government with outrageous demands, and that was what led to unrest in the system.”
The president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association accuses Lecce of misleading people and “adding to the chaos and confusion” with his comments.
Liz Stuart said she rejected the idea that other areas must be cut in order to keep high school classes from rising to 28 students. “In effect, he has said that he expects teachers and education workers to pay for the crisis the Ford government has created in publicly funded education.”
At the moment, it’s non-teaching staff who are closest to possible job action.
The 55,000 CUPE members are taking strike votes across the province. They represent a variety of workers in Ontario’s public and Catholic schools, including education assistants who help children with special needs, early childhood educators in kindergartens, administrative staff, library workers, custodians, social workers, IT workers, psychologists, child and youth workers and speech pathologists.
The vote for CUPE members working at the Ottawa Catholic School Board is scheduled for Thursday.
Local president Sherry Wallace says she’ll recommend members vote in favour of possible strike action. While the board has not cut staff, members are under increasing pressure because enrolment is increasing, she said.
For example, educational assistants are spending more time coping with violent or aggressive students, she said. “That takes them away from their ability to support other students with learning disabilities and other needs.
“We are just spread so thin. We can’t continue to do more with less.
“Our biggest message is, ‘We’re doing this for the students, we’re doing this to make sure they have the services they deserve in the education system.’ We’re not trying to hurt people.”
A work disruption would be financially difficult for her members, Wallace said.
“It’s costly and it’s difficult for members to make that vote to strike. Most of our members make $38,000 a year. … It’s very scary for them at this time.”
Wallace said she hoped Lecce was truly looking for a fair settlement.
“But right now at the provincial table, it’s not looking well.”