Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is ready to repeal Bill 28, which imposes a contract of employment on some 55,000 education workers if they return to work. The leader of the Conservative government made the announcement on Monday, four days after the bill was passed. The Prime Minister hopes that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will show “good will”.
This is a retreat for the Ontario government, which turned to the Ontario Labor Relations Board on Thursday to declare the CUPE strike illegal, a decision that could open the door to $4,000 fines for protesters.
Bill 28 prevents union members from striking for the duration of the four-year contract and includes the Notwithstanding Clause, allowing the province to override the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“The past two and a half years have been difficult for children,” Ontario Premier said Monday, alongside his Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. “I have always respected workers’ rights,” said the Prime Minister. In documents submitted to the Commission, CUPE lawyers argue that Doug Ford and Stephen Lecce “did not have a genuine intention to bargain in good faith with the union”.
The Commission has not yet issued its decision. CUPE, for its part, spoke to the media at a press conference at 11 a.m. along with other union groups. According to various media, CUPE could announce the organization of a multi-sector strike next Monday in Ontario. On its Twitter account Monday morning, after Doug Ford’s press conference, CUPE hinted that it would continue its fight. “The pressure works. Let’s carry on,” it read.
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