Home News Ontario education workers begin work-to-rule campaign as contract talks degrade

Ontario education workers begin work-to-rule campaign as contract talks degrade

September 30, 2019

TORONTO — Tens of thousands of education workers across Ontario have begun a work-to-rule campaign in a bid to pressure the provincial government into making concessions in contract negotiations.

The union representing 55,000 custodians, clerical workers and early childhood educators across the province made the announcement last night after mediation broke down over the weekend.

CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions says the workers will stop working overtime and performing extra duties.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says it’s “deeply disappointing” that the talks were unfruitful.

He says student safety is the government’s priority during the work-to-rule campaign.

Contracts for Ontario’s public school teachers and education workers expired Aug. 31, and the major unions are in various stages of bargaining.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2019.

The Canadian Press