Ontario: The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 55,000 workers including custodians, early childhood educators and administration staff, has given five days’ notice of a potential province-wide strike.

This notice means that CUPE education workers across the province will be on a full withdrawal of services on Friday (November 4), should a deal not be reached.

“We view the next 3 days of mediation – November 1, 2, and 3 – to be an opportunity for this government to come to the table to negotiate an agreement that recognizes Education Workers and the vital services that we provide for students, families and our communities,” CUPE said in a statement.

Earlier this month, 96.5 per cent of Ontario education workers voted in favour of a strike.

The union has been demanding a $3.25 per hour or 11.7 per cent increase in annual allowances, as well as minimum staffing requirements, early childhood educators earmarked for each kindergarten class, and $100 million for 1,500 to 1,700 new employment opportunities, officials said.

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