Local Group Rallies in Blyth in Support of CUPE Workers

A group of local parents, EA workers and members of other unions held a rally in support of CUPE workers this evening in Blyth. The small demonstration, adjacent to the Constituency office for Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson was meant to give a chance to put a face to those impacted.

Vanessa Kelly, a concerned parent tells why she is involved.

“I am involved because I am a parent. I have 3 children in our school systems who work with OSBCU workers. I am here today because I feel like our government is trampling over their rights of collective bargaining, their rights to fair and safe working conditions and that directly impacts the conditions of my children’s classrooms and the support that they have access to.”

When it comes to what needs to be done Vanessa says it’s all about equity.

“It’s great to say as parents we want our kids in class but what is happening in classrooms right now is not equitable. If these workers don’t get what they need then we will see a mass exodus of these workers and our classrooms will become even less equitable. This concerns me deeply.”

The group says that similar rallies were held across the province.