The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President David Mastin:
“ETFO stands in solidarity with the striking 10,000 CUPE members who work for Air Canada in their fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and respect from their employer. Any move by the federal government to impose back-to-work legislation would be an unacceptable attack on their right to strike.
This fight is bigger than one contract dispute; it’s about defending workers’ fundamental rights to collective bargaining, including the right to strike. And it’s about standing up for every worker in this country and pushing back against corporate greed.
When employers refuse to pay employees for every hour worked, it’s not just unjust, it’s wage theft.
The federal government’s growing reliance on Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to intervene in labour disputes is deeply concerning and represents an undemocratic attack on workers’ rights. Labour laws are meant to protect the right to free and fair collective bargaining, not to trample it.
ETFO calls on the federal government to respect collective bargaining and let CUPE members exercise their Charter-protected right to strike. Anything less is a betrayal of Canadian workers and the democratic principles we claim to uphold.”
ETFO represents approximately 84,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Visit BuildingBetterSchools.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
