LONDON, Ont. – Educational and instructional assistants with the Thames Valley District School Board rejected a settlement proposal in ratification votes last night, setting a new strike deadline of 12:01 am, Thursday, May 11th.
“Our members felt the board’s offer did not go far enough to address the issue of having enough time to complete our work with students,” said Jennifer Kaufmann, CUPE national representative. “We have asked management to return to the negotiating table to try and work out an agreement that will be acceptable to members, and prevent a strike.”
CUPE 4222, Unit C, represents 852 permanent and 311 casual EAs and IAs, who provide care to special needs students in 186 schools in the city of London, and in the counties of Elgin, Oxford and Middlesex. The workers have been in a legal strike position since May 4th.
“Our members are standing up for what they believe in and trying to get more time to do their work,” said Kaufmann. “Management has downloaded extra duties without allowing enough work time, and our members feel they have little choice but to go on strike if the board doesn’t table an improved settlement offer.” The workers will hold a rally today at 4:30 pm, at the Education Centre, 1250 Dundas Street, in London, where school trustees will be attending a board meeting.
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For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Kaufmann, CUPE National Representative - 519-433-1753 - 519-852-2803 cell
James Chai, CUPE Communications - 416-292-3999