Lior Samfiru on Global News talks 2nd CUPE strike and worker rights

Interview Summary

As talks break down between the provincial government and CUPE, workers have once again given notice of a potential strike. What can those affected by this strike expect a second time? Will working parents have to make arrangements with their employers in order to navigate the changing circumstances?

Lior Samfiru, a Toronto employment lawyer and co-founding partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joined Global News Toronto to discuss the ongoing situation and workers’ rights.

Interview Notes

• Effect if a strike notice goes through: It will ultimately depend on what the government decides to do in the coming days and whether or not they implement legislation as they did previously.
• A possible new law that could ban strikes: This government is able to pass legislation quickly and it is possible so it is likely that new legislation might be implemented if a strike goes beyond a few days.
• Other unions potentially joining the strike in solidarity: Employees of other unions would have to be careful if they decide to protest in solidarity as they would not be in a legal strike position and be missing work. Employees could face disciplinary action from their employers.
• Options for CUPE moving forward: Both sides at this point would have to go to binding arbitration and have an arbitrator decide what the collective agreement should be between both parties.