The local perspective of the just ending withdrawal of service by CUPE members across Ontario is one of a return to power and rights for their worker, says Shirley Bushell, President of CUPE Local 3447 who represents members within the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board.
“Part of the political protest, the biggest part of it, was the fact that they take away our rights. If we didn’t stand up what would they do with the next person, and the next person.”
Both sides have now return to the negotiating table.
Bushell added that CUPE’s stance on the protest is that it is pausing and that if the province isn’t willing to work with the union they will have to come back to the picket line.
Impacted school boards are starting to announce the return to in-class instruction including the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.