The Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA) strongly condemns the Ontario government’s Bill 28, “Keeping Students in Class Act,” and the use of the notwithstanding clause to violate the Charter rights of over 55,000 CUPE education workers in the province. These workers include educational assistants, early childhood educators, caretakers, maintenance staff and support staff, all of whom are crucial and essential to the functioning of Ontario’s public education system.
These workers include educational assistants, early childhood educators, caretakers, maintenance staff and support staff, all of whom are crucial and essential to the functioning of Ontario’s public education system.
MOFA members are all too familiar with government interference in bargaining, with the Pallister and Stefanson governments imposing wage restrictions and provoking two separate strikes at the University of Manitoba. However, not even the current government in Manitoba had the temerity to invoke the notwithstanding clause to override the collective bargaining rights of workers.
Doug Ford’s government is trying to set a dangerous precedent for workers across Canada. The right to associate, form a union, and bargain collectively are crucial cornerstones of a free and democratic society.
MOFA calls on the Ford government to immediately cease these threatening actions and return to the bargaining table in good faith.