Ontario education workers, Ford government set to resume bargaining on Monday

In what could be the last chance to avoid a potential strike, Ontario education workers and the Ford government will be back at the bargaining table on Monday with the help of a mediator.

William Kaplan will join the two sides with the goal of reprising the same result from 2019 when he helped them negotiate a new collective agreement.

While the two sides were previously scheduled to meet on Monday and Tuesday, a third day – Wednesday – has been added at the request of the union.

CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) requested a no-board report back on Oct. 7, which started the countdown to a potential work stoppage on behalf of 55,000 librarians, custodians, and administration staff across the province.

“My coworkers across Ontario are expecting to see an offer that shows this government understands we’ve taken forced pay cuts for the last decade and now our wages are being eroded even more by high inflation,” said Laura Walton, president of OSBCU. “We welcome the assistance of a mediator to help us get a deal done that meets the needs of students, parents, and frontline workers.”

The union has asked for annual wage increases of $3.25 per hour — or 11.7 per cent — to help address the increase in inflation, as well as minimum staffing requirements, a designated Early Childhood Educator for every kindergarten class, and $100 million to create between 1,500 and 1,700 new jobs.

The Ford government has offered to give education workers who make less than $40,000 raises of two per cent a year and 1.25 per cent for everyone else in a proposed four-year deal.

CUPE has said the government’s offer amounts to an extra $800 a year for the average worker.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said Friday they were going to come to the table “with the spirit of being open, reasonable and student-focused.”

Premier Doug Ford pleaded with the union earlier this month to not go on strike, while dropping a subtle hint that he might use back-to-work legislation should they walk out.

“Don’t force my hand,” said Ford. “Continue negotiating … but do not go on strike.”

The province’s five major education unions are all looking for new deals with the government after they all expired on Aug. 31.