Contract talks between Ontario government, education workers break down

The union representing nearly 55,000 Ontario education workers says almost no progress was made over three days of contract talks with the government.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees adds the negotiations will resume just two days before they will be in a legal strike position.

It says the mediator who was helping with bargaining this week has concluded the two sides are too far apart and talks should be adjourned.

The parties are expected to go back to the table Nov. 1 for an unspecified amount of time.

READ MORE: Ontario CUPE education workers begin voting on whether to strike today

Education workers represented by CUPE are in a legal strike position as of Nov. 3 and the president of CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions says it’s “very possible” they could transition to a full strike, rather than starting with a work-to-rule campaign.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says CUPE is “trying to disrupt in-class learning by refusing to compromise” on what he calls unreasonable demands.

CUPE is seeking annual salary increases of 11.7 per cent for workers such as custodians, early childhood educators and administration staff.

The Ontario government has offered raises of two per cent a year for workers making less than $40,000 and 1.25 per cent for everyone else.