“You don’t just get up and walk away from the table when you’re in the middle of negotiating and I feel we can strike a deal but they need to come back. They’re the only ones that have the ability to have the kids back in the classroom,” said Ford in a media conference today, November 7, 2022.
“I’m willing to put a little water in my wine but they need to do the same thing…” he said.
Ford said his government, with the intent to keep students in class, has “put forward a fair and reasonable offer. An offer that provides the largest increase in compensation for education workers in over a decade and protects the most generous benefits and pension plan in the entire country, along with 131 paid sick days. All we ask for was that they remove their threat to strike so kids could stay in class.”
He said CUPE was demanding a nearly 50 per cent increase in compensation including benefits. “When CUPE didn’t get what they were demanding, they gave notice they were going on strike. The times we find ourselves in after pandemic disruptions is an unprecedented situation that requires unprecedented solutions.”
He said when the threat of a strike loomed causing further disruption, “our government took action to stop the strike.”
Ford said his government was left with no choice but to pass Bill 28, Keeping Student in Class Act, 2022 (which made CUPE’s strike illegal).
He told reporters his government is willing to rescind Bill 28 but “only if CUPE agrees to show a similar gesture of good faith by stopping their strike and letting our kids back into their classrooms. I urge CUPE to continue to talk with us at the bargaining table. We’re willing to make a fair deal, one that offers more help for lower-income workers. We want a deal that’s fair for students. Fair for workers. Fair for parents. And fair for taxpayers and we know we can get there,” he said, adding that the Province has a responsibility to the entire province when it comes to spending tax dollars.
“A deal with CUPE has massive impacts on broader public service salaries as well as the government’s ability to invest in services like health care, transit, education, and hospital infrastructure alongside other vital public services.”
He said his government has directed boards to keep as many schools open as possible and offer online learning as well. You can watch the video below:
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Once again Ford totally caves.
A few days after his draconian bill was created.
Ford and Lecce were so smug when they thought imposing a “contract” with legislation would eliminate legal bargaining with the union.
CUPE, other unions and polls showing the public were against them wiped the smug looks off their faces.
They have no idea what he’s doing. Again.
Just like they were forced to cave before on their planned cuts to education in 2020.
Make no mistake.
Ford didn’t cave willingly.
The OLRB likely told him to or else be embarrassed even more when their ruling was against Ford.
Far better for CUPE members to collect full pay while they negotiate a big raise.
Total win. So far.
There is still no agreement so they could legally go on strike again if needed.
That’s up to Ford and Lecce. Have they learned anything? We will see.
So the members of CUPE have decided they should meet the troll on the bridge. Good for them, but I urge caution. This is Doug Ford. Short on truth or moral fiber when it comes to bullying workers.
Our voice, the members Ontarians elected, are mute. There doesn’t seem to be a shared testicle or inch of communal backbone in the lot; at least not that is being displayed. They are the people who stood on platforms and at our doors, requesting our vote. I never heard, or heard of, any one of them saying that the intention of their party, was to gut the ability of people to negotiate a fair wage. Why are they speechless now? Can no one say “Hey. Wait a minute!”
I know I could never counsel meeting with Ford or one of his ‘Ford-iks’. We know what he is. Remember the old saying, about ‘if his lips are moving—–‘.
But I suppose CUPE members have to demonstrate what they are; besides being underpaid. For what they do, some are seriously underpaid.
I would suggest that they insist on a negotiated settlement, remembering that arbitration has robbed Ontario of nurses, and nurses of their right to negotiate for a few years.
Ford should have refrained from trying to bribe parents, and bargained in good faith. But as I have said before, nothing is straight up with this man; not when he can smile and squirm. And ‘work for’ us.
There go those lips again.