Ontario school support staff to give 5-day strike action notice Wednesday

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the union representing school support staff in Ontario, say they will be giving notice of job action on Wednesday.

The union, which represents 55,000 CUPE employees, said it will begin a work-to-rule campaign starting on Monday. The union represents custodians, clerical workers and early childhood educators.

Job security was reportedly what cause a divide during negotiations between the government and the union.

Ontario education workers had voted 93 per cent in favour of job action and put them in a legal strike position as of Sept. 30.

Laura Walton with CUPE said workers would stop doing overtime and any extra duties they currently perform.

In a statement, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said talks broke down with the union over the weekend.

“Our government remains focused on keeping kids in the classroom and delivering a deal that gives students and parents predictability and certainty. This will not change,” Lecce said.

“I urge CUPE and the employers to come back to the table and direct their efforts toward reaching a deal as quickly possible. Our government remains available at any time to restart talks with CUPE and keep students in school. Kids and parents deserve no less.”