Education Minister Stephen Lecce addresses Queen's Park on the status of talk with education workers. Oct. 31, 2022

Debate is underway on pre-emptive back-to-work legislation impacting education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Second reading began at 5 a.m. Eastern.

The union gave notice Sunday of their intention to walk off the job on Friday if no deal was reached this week.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says they were left with no choice but to take action.

“This legislation provides absolute stability for kids to the extent we can control, and ensures they remain in a classroom that nothing, nothing at all, now or in the future, could prevent the child’s right to be in a classroom learning,” says Lecce.

The legislation also imposes a four-year contract on education workers.

It will include a wage hike of 2.5 per cent each year.

“When you speak to parents, and you see the struggle they face and the angst they have for their kids and where they’re at, it is incumbent on a responsible government to say enough. These kids need to be in school,” says Lecce.

CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Union is still planning to go ahead with the job action.

The union is asking workers, parents and community members to join them.

They are also asking that they call their MPP to voice their displeasure with the way the government is handling the contract talks.
The Rainy River District School Board says it is doing contingency planning regarding the planned walk-out but does not say yet if it will close schools.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board has not yet said what it will do in the event of the walk-out taking place.