Editor’s note: This Email to the Editor was sent prior to the Ford government withdrawing its legislation and the use of the notwithstanding clause.
The Ontario Government should negotiate a fair collective agreement with the education support workers.
Instead, the Ford Government has pushed ahead with anti-worker legislation, Bill 28, which has misused the intent of the notwithstanding clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is a gross violation of bargaining rights, an assault on fundamental rights and freedoms and a real threat on future collective bargaining in Ontario.
The Ford Government is bullying the lowest paid education workers-EAs, ECEs, custodians, office staff, librarians, etc. who keep our schools functioning for our children. Our children and grandchildren have to suffer another disruption in schools at the hands of the Ford Government.
Last July, Doug Ford gave 43 of his MPPs a $16,000 pay increase by appointing a record number of parliamentary assistants to various roles. In the last fiscal year, Ontario spent $7.2 billion less than was planned. Yet, education and public healthcare remained underfunded.
It is time for the provincial government to negotiate a fair agreement that would let education workers live with dignity and respect and that would keep our schools open for our kids.
Brian Lynch
Cornwall