Why do we stand with education workers?
Both CUPE and OPSEU/SEFPO education workers are the lowest-paid staff in our schools. They earn an average of $39,000 per year, and the schools are so understaffed that it has created a dangerous and stressful environment for both students and staff.
Last week, OPSEU/SEFPO released a short video featuring education workers who have experienced daily violence in schools – their workplaces – because of severe under-staffing caused by low wages, unsafe working conditions, and under-funding by the provincial government.
Watch the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUQCi_i6zro
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has decided to legislate a contract and no-strike legislation on CUPE education workers instead of bargaining with them. This attack on their bargaining rights is an attack on all union members, including OPSEU/SEFPO education workers who are also in bargaining right now.
CUPE is standing up to them: “On Friday, regardless of what this government does, we will be engaging in a province-wide political protest where no CUPE education worker will be on the job until we get a real deal.”
OPSEU/SEFPO stands with CUPE as they take this historic action against the Ford government. Take action with us!
Province-wide phone zap Wednesday night – Zoom event
At this emergency phone zap organized by Justice for Workers, we’ll call on our elected representatives to do what’s right and bargain a fair contract for education workers.
DATE: Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
RSVP: Click here to sign up for the phone zap – a zoom link will be sent to you.
Province-wide political protest on Friday
This Friday, November 4, CUPE is planning “a province-wide political protest where no CUPE education worker will be on the job unless they get a real deal”. We encourage all OPSEU/SEFPO members to support any CUPE protest happening at schools near you. Stay tuned – we’ll provide more information as it comes available.
Send an email to Ford, Lecce and your MPP now!
Use the Ontario Federation of Labour’s online tool to send an email to your MPP, Stephen Lecce, and Doug Ford supporting education workers.
Link: https://ofl.ca/action/email-hands-off/
It is important to fight back against a government who would rather divert $365 million from desperately needed classroom funding to make small, one-time payments to parents for private tutors. That money should be invested in schools and programs – and the education workers who support students at school.
Read the full email from President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell sent to all OPSEU/SEFPO members on the evening of Monday, October 31, 2022.
