Important Strike Vote Information

HDEAA, as a part of the EWAO (Education Workers Alliance of Ontario) began bargaining with the Crown/CTA in September 2022, the two most important items being wages and benefits. We reached an impasse with the government last April when they continued to demand a reduction to our benefit funding.

How does this funding work?

HDEAA is part of an Employee Life & Health Trust.

The government funds the trust based on a dollar amount per FTE employee.

Historically, we have had the highest benefit funding out of all the education support worker groups.

During this round of bargaining, the Crown/CTA have agreed to give the other support worker tables increases ( CUPE, OCEW, ETFO support workers, and OSSTF support workers) to bring them up while demanding that we take a reduction.

The government is increasing the other support worker tables per person amount through a 1% increase in the first year, a 1% increase in the second year, a 1% increase in the third year, and a 4% increase in the fourth year.

We at the EWAO table are not prepared to accept less than what we already have, and are asking for the same increase that they have already given to the other groups.

A reduction in our benefit funding would result in a cut to your benefits and an erosion of your overall compensation.

How would a cut in benefit funding affect you?

• a very likely 4% benefit co-pay ( you will pay 4% of every bill) = more out of pocket cost to you, = less take home money
• cuts in your current benefit coverage, less services offered
• for example: dollar amounts for services could be decreased, services that are currently offered could be altered/removed

Why should we accept less than they are offering everyone else???!!

HDEAA members need to stand together to send a strong message back to the government!

We will not accept less than we already have!

What does a “YES” vote for a strike mandate do?

• It sends a strong message back to government telling them our members are prepared to fight and stand together
• It tells the government that you have given the union the authority to initiate labour action if needed to protect your benefits and overall compensation (labour action comes in many forms)
• It shows the government that the membership is behind and supporting its negotiating team

HDEAA, as part of EWAO, is still negotiating other items at the central table on your behalf.

‍We are asking for HDEAA members support in the form of a “yes” vote to the strike mandate in order to move the negotiating process forward.

Strike Vote Dates & Locations:

The HDEAA office will be open for voting on the following dates/times:

• Sunday January 21st from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Monday January 22 from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
• Tuesday January 23 from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
• Wednesday January 24th (last day to cast a vote) – 8:00 am to 7:30 pm

We are located at 3425 Harvester Road, Unit 100, Burlington.

Closest main intersection is Harvester Road and Walkers Line.

Our office faces Harvester road.

Monday January 22 at Posts Corners PS – Oakville (in the front foyer) – 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Tuesday January 23 at Georgetown District High School – Georgetown (in the library) – 3:30 to 6:00 pm

Wednesday January 24th at Craig Kielberger Secondary School – Milton (in the cafeteria)– 3:30 to 6:00 pm

• All votes are done in person
• No proxy voting
• All current members are eligible to vote (including those on leaves)
• **Please bring photo ID to vote ( Driver’s License, Health Card or Passport)*