'Ford is incompetent. Lecce is incompetent': ‘Breakfast Television’, ‘The Social’ hosts skewer Ontario government over CUPE strike
Today, thousands of Ontario education workers hit picket lines across the province as the first day of an indefinite walkout that shut down many schools.
A union of 55,000 education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is protesting after the Progressive Conservative government enacted Bill 28, a law that strips CUPE members’ right to strike, a sweeping move many critics are calling 'horrifying'.
Many Canadians are supporting education workers on and off social media, including Canadian TV hosts blasting Ford’s government for imposing the controversial bill.
Elaine Lui, co-host of The Social on CTV, explained the stigma CUPE workers endure during an impassioned segment. "You know there are unfortunately people out there who think that people go on strike are just demanding too much money. They're lazy. They don't want to go to work...," she exclaimed.
Nobody really wants to go on strike, let’s just disabuse people of that perception right now. Nobody wants to have their job in jeopardy.Elaine Lui, co-host of The Social
In the comments, someone responded, “Unfortunately the public is extremely misinformed about the why’s being this strike and the reality of the work these CUPE members do. They are integral & deserve better.”
Breakfast Television’s Sid Seixeiro said he’s angry about Bill 28.
I’m looking at some of the lowest paid public sector employees we have in the province, and Doug Ford just took out the biggest baseball bat he could find and went to town, and acted like none of us was going to notice.Sid Seixeiro, Breakfast Television
"This is outrageous. This is outrageous......They had one job since June...Where are the kids today? I've been in this business 20 years, I know what incompetence is, and I know what incompetence looks like. When you can't do your job, you're incompetent... Doug Ford is incompetent. Stephen Lecce is incompetent."
"I'm angry." @sid_seixeiro shares his thoughts as thousands of CUPE education workers prepare to walk off the job today. pic.twitter.com/rrh7us6I7X
— Breakfast Television (@breakfasttv) November 4, 2022
Some Canadians have mixed reactions to what Seixeiro expressed.
Agree with everything @Sid_Seixeiro said. With regards to teachers, they can’t do a thing until they are in a legal strike position. Most of us are doing everything we can to support, but in the working day at school, our hands are currently tied.
— Dippity-do (@do_dippity) November 4, 2022
I’m also angry. My kids aren’t at school when they should be. They have missed enough. I’m angry that CUPE has decided to use my kid’s education as a bargaining tool. The province was also wrong forcing a contract. The people losing are the kids.
— Shawn Routenburg (@FireRoutenburg) November 4, 2022
CUPE have been at the bargaining table for ages. @Sid_Seixeiro was saying this was a potential issue since last June, so it’s not like this is CUPE’s first choice. The govt choosing to just destroy our rights before the strike even happens though? That is not right.
— Rebecca Bredin (@RebeccaBredin) November 4, 2022
I don’t agree with syd on this one and I always agree with syd. I think the pendulum has swung and this is becoming about actually doing your job. It feels like no matter what they do the teachers always have a reason to complain. The unions are doing them a disservice.
— smartdoc (@yoursmartdocs) November 4, 2022
Beyond TV hosts, other Canadian media figures are also making their opinions known online.
This is absolute insanity. The only proper response is for workers across the province -- better yet, the country -- to join with CUPE and bring the province to its knees. https://t.co/SpXSSauEp6
— David Moscrop: Subscribe to my Substack. It’s fun! (@David_Moscrop) November 2, 2022
The Ford government is crushing labour rights and undermining the power of workers by setting dangerous precedents and encouraging similar bad faith behaviour across the country. They must be met with unrelenting mass resistance.
It's CUPE today. Tomorrow it'll be you.— David Moscrop: Subscribe to my Substack. It’s fun! (@David_Moscrop) November 2, 2022
Of all the reasons I support @CUPEOntario & all the #onted workers here in ON, here is my biggest:
My late twin sister, Joslin, in a classroom with her EA. She was w/ other kids, was loved, was cared for.
Joslin is why I am @NDP & stand w/ #EducationWorkers #cdnpoli #onpoli pic.twitter.com/wYq93QYHdF— juliakolendp (@juliakolendp) November 3, 2022
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if CUPE workers are essential to keeping schools open and kids in class…then they are also essential enough to receive a decent wage. I urge you: Support CUPE workers…and stand against starvation wages everywhere. #IStandWithCUPE
— Dr. Amit Arya (@AmitAryaMD) November 3, 2022
Happy Friday and good morning to the incredible CUPE education workers fighting back against the Ontario government's cruel & mean-spirited attacks.
As you begin your strike today, remember: Today & everyday, the people of Ontario stand with you. ✊🏾#IStandWithCUPE— Naheed Dosani (@NaheedD) November 4, 2022
This is our son, Anthony. He has multiple disabilities. He is in a mainstream classroom. EAs take care of him everyday. Toileting, feeding, dressing, constant supervision, being his voice, therapy sessions etc. Anthony could not attend school without EAs. #IStandWithCUPE pic.twitter.com/hI0jTkMxrG
— Katherine Reilley (she/her) (@MsReilley) November 4, 2022
Members of the CUPE are on strike indefinitely. Other educators, parents, and supporters are joining them on the front lines.
Doug Ford and his RETROgressive conservative government crossed the line by enacting Bill 28 and banning 55 000 CUPE members from exercising their fundamental right to strike.
A quick stop before work as #IStandWithCUPE to protect our Democracy. #39kIsNotEnough #CUPEStrong pic.twitter.com/ROUCIa03Sd— Birgit Uwaila Umaigba 🇳🇬 (@birgitomo) November 4, 2022
Queen’s Park Circle right now as Bill 28/CUPE Ontario protesters wrap around the building. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/I6wlB8Yho5
— Antonella Artuso (@suntooz) November 4, 2022
We stand shoulder to shoulder all across Ontario to say we stand with CUPE workers and we will always defend workers’ rights. This is all our fight! #onpoli #istandwithCUPE pic.twitter.com/d2K5wyDcTX
— Elementary Educators (@ETFOeducators) November 4, 2022
This is my message to workers under attack by Ford & Poilievre
If your rights aren't restored - you can expect the NDP on picket lines, in parliament & anywhere you need us - fighting for your right to feed your families
And I promise you, we won't back down#IStandWithCUPE https://t.co/V5sIRl3OMS— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 4, 2022
