Ontario education support staff workers may walk off jobs

OPSEU members emulate other unions after 96 per cent strike vote

Ontario education support staff workers may walk off jobs
The education workers OPSEU represents work at eight school boards across Ontario. Google Street View

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members joined workers from other unions in giving an overwhelming strike mandate on Nov. 15.

The Ontario Council of Educational Workers (OCEW), which OPSEU is a member of, conducted strike votes in the past few weeks, says the union.

Workers voted 96 per cent in favour of authorizing the OCEW to call a strike if necessary to reach a collective agreement that deals with issues like wages and benefits, says OPSEU.

“I hope the premier and the education minister are taking note of the message that their frontline workers are sending about how serious they are about the future of Ontario’s youth,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president.

The education workers OPSEU represents work at eight school boards across Ontario.

They include educational assistants, designated early childhood educators, adult education specialists, clerical workers and IT professionals.

The OCEW and the employer met on Nov. 14 and will return to the table Nov. 26.

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