Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends:
Last Friday, 55,000 CUPE education workers in the province of Ontario walked off the job to protest provincial legislation that imposed a concessionary contract, hefty fines, and stripped away their fundamental rights to free and fair collective bargaining.
Our leaders and staff in Ontario worked throughout the weekend, planning an expansion of protests and solidarity actions across the province for the week ahead. Throughout the weekend, their resolve was strengthened by the messages of support they received from CUPE leaders and members across sectors and from all corners of Canada.
On Monday morning, as private and public sector labour leaders from around Ontario and across the country gathered in an incredible show of solidarity, Ontario Premier Doug Ford blinked. He committed to rescind Bill 28 and return to the bargaining table. This was a direct result of the united power of workers, as shown by their unions. Together, we have put governments on notice – that they dare not try to take away our bargaining rights, or our right to collective action.
There is still much work to do to secure a fair collective agreement for these Ontario education workers, and for hundreds of thousands of members across this country. We hope Monday’s show of solidarity in Toronto empowers you, and sends a message to the employers sitting across the table – that workers are standing up and standing together, and that we are ready to fight for our members’ rights.
Thank you for your leadership and your continued support of our movement. We have never been so proud of CUPE and our members.
In solidarity,
 MARK HANCOCK National President |
 CANDACE RENNICK National Secretary-Treasurer |