My anger goes to Ford and Lecce, not workers
Province is acting a way that grossly undermines Canadian democracy
As a parent to three elementary-aged children, I am fed up with the number of school shutdowns our children have experienced over the last three years.
This week has been tense, with contract discussions between the Ontario government and more than 55,000 education workers represented by The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) reaching a boiling point.
Education workers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, risking their health in order to provide support to our students. They’re education assistants, early childhood educators, custodians, library staff and administrative assistants. CUPE says the average salary of these workers is around $40,000 annually. The union is asking for a 11.7 per cent increase, which would provide approximately $4,800 to each worker’s salary.
Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce claims he wants nothing more than to prevent another school disruption — going as far as saying: “We are delivering on our promise to parents that our government will do whatever it takes to keep students in class.”
On Monday, legislation was introduced that would prohibit a strike. Anyone who decides to strike regardless of the legislation is at risk of receiving hefty fines, both individuals and unions.
I am fed up, and I know many parents are feeling like they can’t handle one more interruption. However, my frustration does not land at the feet of education workers. I’m angry at the Ontario government, which has acted in a way that grossly undermines Canadian democracy and has proven repeatedly it does not prioritize our children’s best interests.
A recent report published by
CUPE says around 75 per cent of education workers are women. Over the last 10 years, education workers wages have been impacted by government legislated wage restrictions, widening the gender wage gap.
I find it impossible to look at these numbers and believe education workers are being unreasonable with their requests. Education workers are grossly underpaid and they deserve the type of compensation that will allow them to keep up with the alarming rate of inflation in Ontario.
According to CUPE’s report, “Ontario education workers’ wages have fallen behind every other unionized sector in the province.” Not only that, but more than 50 per cent of education workers reported having to take on a second job to make ends meet.
The government’s inability to negotiate with education workers is an insult to all Ontarians, including our children. Monday’s legislation goes against our hard fought labour rights and proves the Ford government will stop at nothing to get what it wants, including bullying workers who are already in a difficult financial position — many of them women.
Lecce says he’s fighting for our children, but what kind of message is he really sending to students across Ontario? It looks to me like the provincial government is willing to sacrifice our children’s education to line its own pockets.