Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Open Letter to Doug Ford: Repealing Bill 28 Is Crucial First Step in Settling Contract with Education Workers

CLAC applauds Ontario government’s signal that it will honour the collective bargaining process

Cambridge, ON—CLAC has sent a letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford applauding Monday's decision to repeal the controversial Keeping Students in Class Act (Bill 28), which was passed last week as a means of preventing a strike by education workers across the province. CLAC calls on the parties to return to the bargaining table to work out a fair, reasonable, and equitable outcome for a sector whose wages have eroded so precipitously.

Dear Premier Ford,

CLAC firmly believes that the rights of workers, students and Ontarians were considered yesterday when the decision was made to return to the bargaining table and to repeal Bill 28, The Keeping Students in Class Act.

We are very pleased to see this action being taken and hope that the government and CUPE will work together for a fair contract agreement quickly.

While it was of concern that legislation of this magnitude was introduced, we see leadership in your government’s willingness to listen to a different perspective and in your decision to change course. This was a crucial step in bringing everyone back to the table to do what’s best for the province.

As was mentioned in our letter Friday, Canadians support the right of workers to bargain collectively in a peaceable forum for the establishment of just and fair working conditions. It is critically important that these rights remain fully intact for all Canadians, especially those who make lower wages and face challenging working conditions. We do know that negotiated agreements are the best agreements for all parties and do hope this can be achieved in this situation. We urge all sides to negotiate in earnest and to follow the well-utilized options for advancing agreements if necessary.

Sincerely yours,

Ian DeWaard
Ontario Director

cc. Minster of Education, Hon. Stephen Lecce
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, Hon. Monte McNaughton

Open Letter to Doug Ford: Repealing Bill 28 Is Crucial First Step in Settling Contract with Education Workers

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