The Grey Bruce Labour Council has called the province's use of the notwithstanding clause to eliminate the right to collective bargaining for education workers a legislative assault with intent to injure.
Chris Stephen, CUPE member and Grey Bruce Labour Council VP for Grey County, said the bill is not about students, workers, the community, or public education in Ontario. Stephen said it is about the government obeying corporations who do not want workers and unions to be successful.
Labour Council President Kevin Smith called it an attack on CUPE and all workers by instituting the notwithstanding clause from the onset. He said it's bullying, and pointed out the move shows that Ford already knows that the plan is unconstitutional.
Dave Trumble, CUPE retiree and Grey Bruce Labour Council VP for Bruce County, suggested it will spark a battle that could be the undoing of the government.
"The Ontario Liberals of Kathleen Wynne enacted Bill 115. It was designed to undo decades of collective bargaining progress for teachers. Teachers set the bar for all unions and workers and busted the spirit of the Wynne government in getting the Wynne Liberals to back down. Ford needs to brace for this kind of fight,” he said.
