Monday, November 07, 2022
What a difference a week of solidarity makes.
Last week, in an attempt to impose a contract on CUPE education workers, the government passed the draconian Bill 28, an outrageous overstep targeting workers’ Charter rights to free and fair collective bargaining, and to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
From the beginning, the government attempted to justify its decision by leaning heavily on anti-union, anti-worker rhetoric. But it was unions, lead and united by CUPE education workers in OSBCU, that stood firm and stood together against this dangerous attack on Charter rights and freedoms.
Last week, we called on AMAPCEO members to take action and show their solidarity with CUPE education workers. We were proud to see members across the province respond to that call.
In the days that followed the passing of Bill 28, we saw a shining example of what happens when the workers of Ontario stand together and stand up for their rights. A wave of solidarity rippled across this province, with rallies, protests, and pickets organized by CUPE flooded with workers from all sectors, intent on showing the government that an attack on their rights will not be tolerated.
The results are undeniable: this morning, the government offered to repeal its own legislation and to return to the bargaining table.
AMAPCEO continues to stand in solidarity with CUPE education workers as they return to the table. We owe them our deepest gratitude for their courage and their conviction. Their bravery will not be forgotten.
We hope that the government will learn from this unforced error and bargain with CUPE education workers fairly and in good faith. But rest assured that if further action is needed, AMAPCEO —along with the rest of the labour movement of this province—will once again be ready to take up the call.
Historic Board decision
This past weekend, in advance of an expected escalation in the Bill 28 crisis, the AMAPCEO Board of Directors called an emergency meeting to discuss the union’s response. The Board subsequently made the historic decision to allocate funds from the union’s $1 million campaign fund to aid in greater labour’s defense of collective bargaining rights. Whether in support of striking CUPE education workers under siege at present, or in the longer run against similar legislation, that fund remains ready to be used to defend workers’ rights whenever it is needed.
Next steps
We want to recognize that while today’s government decision marks a first step, Bill 28 has not yet been officially repealed. This fight is not yet over.
And so, to keep up the pressure on the government and to demonstrate the power of labour, in solidarity with our fellow workers at CUPE, ATU 1587, and ACTRA, all of whom are amid job action, we are urging all AMAPCEO members to:
- wear blue on Wednesday, November 9, whether you are at home or in the office; and
- take a "solidarity break” during your lunch hour, on your own or with fellow members in the workplace or over Zoom, to share a picture of yourself with news@amapceo.on.ca.
Stronger together,
The AMAPCEO Board of Directors
Lead photo above by Brendan Miller
Photo credit: Anne-Marie Kooiman
Photo credit: Sarah Hoy
Photo credit: Suzanne Conquer
Photo credit: CUPE Ontario