Ontario's Education Minister Stephen Lecce addresses the media at Queen's Park on the contract dispute involving education workers. Nov. 2, 2022

The provincial government is calling on the education workers union to withdraw its planned strike for this Friday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees issued their notice on Sunday.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says it is why they had to act and introduce Bill 28 to pre-empt that action and impose a new contract.

“I will always be ready and willing to work with any union to get a deal, but we will not accept a strike this Friday or any day,” says Lecce.

Lecce confirms a counteroffer was received on Tuesday from the CUPE but did not include the government’s request for an end to the strike threat.

The Education Minister says it is the only way the two sides are going to get a deal done.

“That is not a preposterous ask of the union. It’s really quite common and reasonable. Take the threat off the table and let’s talk. We are talking, but let’s get to a deal is the next step of the logic.”

When asked by reporters, Lecce would not agree to take Bill 28 off the table if the strike threat was removed.

He says it leaves the union with the ability to take strike action if talks fail.

The union has said it would proceed with the job action even if the bill passes at Queen’s Park.

Part of the legislation included fines of $4,000 against each worker that participates.