NFU-O Stands in Solidarity with CUPE Ontario Education Workers

National Farmers Union-Ontario (NFU-O) stands in solidarity with CUPE Ontario education workers, who, as of Friday, November 4th, are taking indefinite province-wide strike action against Bill 28 and the Ford government’s unprecedented attack on workers’ rights.

Bill 28 undermines workers’ constitutional right to fair and free collective bargaining. It would impose a four-year long contract on 55,000 education workers, making strike action illegal under threat of enormous fines at the expense of individual workers and the union as a whole through the use of the notwithstanding clause.

Ontario farm workers, who also provide an essential service, have long been denied their constitutional right to collective bargaining. NFU-O condemns any efforts to circumvent workers’ rights to free and fair negotiations. Ford’s unprecedented use of the notwithstanding clause is the first time the clause has been used against the right to strike, and poses a direct threat to all workers, in every sector.

NFU-O members are taking to the picket lines in their communities to demonstrate their support for education workers. We encourage all members of the NFU-O to stand up for all workers’ rights and join striking education workers at the nearest picket line, keep updated on solidarity actions, and demand dignity for education workers, and fair and free collective bargaining for all.