Debate is underway on pre-emptive back-to-work legislation impacting education workers, including librarians, custodians and early childhood educators, but not teachers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
Second reading began at 4:00 Tuesday morning.
The union gave notice Sunday of their intention to walk off the job on Friday if no deal was reached this week.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says they were left with no choice but to take action.
“This legislation provides absolute stability for kids to the extent we can control, and ensures they remain in a classroom that nothing, nothing at all, now or in the future, could prevent the child’s right to be in a classroom learning,” says Lecce.
The legislation also imposes a four-year contract on education workers.
It will include a wage hike of 2.5% each year.
“When you speak to parents, and you see the struggle they face and the angst they have for their kids and where they’re at, it is incumbent on a responsible government to say enough. These kids need to be in school,” says Lecce.
CUPE says it will be looking at every avenue to fight the legislation, but the government says it intends to use the notwithstanding clause to keep the eventual law in force despite any constitutional challenges.
Under the proposed legislation workers could face fines of up to $4,000 per day if they strike.
The Ontario Liberals are fuming over the government plan to use the notwithstanding clause.
Critic and former Education Minister Mitzie Hunter says this is the second time that this government has utilized it here in Canada.
Hunter calls the action absolutely disgraceful.
CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Union is still planning to go ahead with the job action.
The union is asking workers, parents and community members to join them.
They are also asking that they call their MPP to voice their displeasure with the way the government is handling the contract talks.
(With files from Randy Thoms and Tim Davidson)
