Schreiner responds to job action by CUPE workers

September 30, 2019

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to CUPE workers beginning a partial withdrawal of services:

“The Ford government needs to reverse its cuts to education. 

Fewer adults in schools will hurt students and threaten quality. It will put more pressure on the education support staff who have initiated work-to-rule action in Ontario schools starting today. 

The educational assistants, caretakers, early childhood educators, tradespeople and other support staff that keep our schools running provide essential support for students and are some of the lowest paid employees in the education system. They deserve support. 

I respect their right to use labour action in order to advocate for themselves and for the children, families, and communities they serve. 

I urge all sides to build on the progress they have reportedly made on job security and wages to resolve the outstanding issues through respectful negotiations. 

I urge the Ford government to focus on improving education during negotiations instead of pinching pennies.”

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