Ontario education workers begin work-to-rule campaign as contract talks degrade

TORONTO - Tens of thousands of education workers across Ontario have begun a work-to-rule campaign in a bid to pressure the provincial government into making concessions in contract negotiations.

The union representing 55,000 custodians, clerical workers and early childhood educators across the province made the announcement last night after mediation broke down over the weekend.

CUPE's Ontario School Board Council of Unions says the workers will stop working overtime and performing extra duties.

The President of CUPE Local 1358 in Windsor-Essex, Darlene Sawchuk, says her members are concerned about the future of education.

"They are ready to take on this fight. It's certainly not with our board. It's with the province," says Sawchuk. "We really, really need to change the way our services are delivered. We can't keep cutting and expect that kids are getting what they need."

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says it's "deeply disappointing" that the talks were unfruitful.

He says student safety is the government's priority during the work-to-rule campaign.

Contracts for Ontario's public school teachers and education workers expired.

The work-to-rule campaign is having an impact on community services.

The Greater Essex County District School Board says it is pausing all community use of school permits due to the job action, beginning on Oct. 1.

The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board says in a statement "we remain focused on providing a safe environment for all of our students and are committed to ensuring that they are properly cared for and are receiving the education to which they are entitled."

The Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence also says in a statement to CTV News "we are committed to the safety and well-being of students.," and "measures are in place to meet that standard."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2019.

With files from CTV Windsor.