Hundreds of education workers walk the picket line in Burlington

On the first day of an indefinite walkout, hundreds of local education workers are walking the picket line at the intersection at Guelph Line and Harvester Road today (Nov. 4).

The Keeping Students in Class Act, or Bill 28,  was passed Thursday (Nov, 3), imposing a contract on 55,000 workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The Bill also banned them from striking, implementing the notwithstanding clause to guard against constitutional challenges. 

Despite the ban, CUPE launched the strike, sparking the government to take them to the Ontario Labour Relations Board. A hearing was set for later Friday.

Thousands of workers impacted by the legislation, including custodians, educational assistants and librarians, participated in protests across the province, including at locations in Milton and Oakville as well as in front of the Ontario Legislature.