Ontario workers defeat draconian anti-union legislation

Trade unionists in Canada are celebrating the defeat of Doug Ford’s draconian anti-worker legislation.

Published: 07/11/2022

In a stunning victory for the labour movement in Canada, Bill 28, which would have imposed a regressive contract and stripped 55,000 education workers and other employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE ) of fundamental trade union rights is to be repealed.

Prime Minister Ford, the Premier of Ontario, has now committed to repeal the bill and resume negotiations with unions following escalating province-wide trade union action in response to his Bill.

CUPE’s National President Mark Hancock credited the victory to the power of worker solidarity across public and private sectors, but especially the courage and determination of education workers, 70% of whom are women.

JGSs Kevin Courtney and Mary Bousted have sent a solidarity letter sent to CUPE.

Read the letter in full:

Mark Hancock, National President

Candace Rennick, National Secretary-Treasurer Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 1375 St. Laurent

Ottawa ON K1G 0Z7

Email: [email protected] [email protected]

07 November 2022

Dear Mr Hancock and Ms Rennick,

We write as Joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union (NEU), the largest union of teachers and education staff in the UK and in Europe, to express the solidarity of the NEU with education workers in CUPE Ontario who are taking strike action in defiance of draconian anti-union legislation introduced by the Ford Government.

The NEU stands in solidarity with CUPE members resisting the provisions of Bill 28 which we understand has imposed a wage settlement on members that falls far short of their legitimate demands; and which fines striking workers and their unions. This is an unprecedented attack on the fundamental right of workers to organise and to take industrial action in pursuit of their legitimate demands at a time of falling wages and rising prices.

Please convey the ongoing support of NEU members to your members in Ontario and please let us know if there is further practical solidarity that we could take.

In solidarity,

Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary

Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary

CC: [email protected]