TORONTO – Doug Ford advertised his union ties and tried to position his progressive conservatives as a voter-friendly option on Tuesday, as his political rivals accused him of simply paying in workers’ words.
The Tories received the approval of another construction union during the campaign, while the more traditionally worker-friendly NDP secured the support of the Ontario Public Service Workers’ Union, which represents 180,000 workers.
Ford has downplayed disputes with public sector workers, whose anger has been sparked by a bill that limits wage increases by one percent for three years, stressing approval from the International Union of Artists and Related Professions.
“These are the people who will build Ontario, they will build Toronto, they will build the whole province. They are out and confusing him day after day, no matter what the weather. And we couldn’t run the countryside without them, “Ford told a news conference this morning. “I will always hold their back, always.”
He spoke at IUPAT headquarters in northern Toronto, where he used a template and a spray gun to paint his “Do It” campaign slogan on a blue wall.
Ford, who is seeking re-election next month, has thwarted attempts to compare his Tories to the previous Ontario PC government.
During his seven years at the helm of the province, Mike Harris gained a reputation as an opponent of the union.
Ford said this was not his position, nor was it the position of his late father, who had served as a progressive conservative MP for Harris for several years.
“I will not judge any other country. “I will tell you, our families, be it my father, my brother Rob or (nephew) Michael, we have supported the hardworking women and men in this province, the union members,” Ford said. “It simply came to our notice then. Love them.”
But Ford has not always been friendly with unions.
NDP leader Andrea Horvat noted that Ford has been in conflict with OPSEU and other working groups over legislation passed in 2019 that limits public sector wage increases by one percent or less.
Ford declined on Tuesday to commit to repealing Bill 124 – something several unions have called for since the law was passed – instead saying it would “treat them fairly” when the three-year freeze freeze ends.
Ford also feuded with teachers’ unions, first during lengthy contract negotiations and later over his policies to reopen schools during the pandemic.
Horvat, whose New Democrats have historically been the party most closely linked to the unions, said workers should pay attention to changes in Ford’s tune.
“I do not change my mind about my support for unions and working people,” Horvat said at a campaign stop on Tuesday. “We have seen Mr Ford attack the unions, we have seen him attack working people many, many times. Conservatives always do.
“I know who I am with before the election, during the election and after the election.
Later in the day, OPSEU came out in support of Croatia.
“We want a government that builds, not disrupts, our public services. “Vote to halt privatization on June 2,” the union tweeted, along with an image containing the “Vote NDP” logo.
The NDP and the Liberals have pledged to repeal Bill 124 and introduce 10 paid days for personal emergency leave.
Ontario residents currently have three paid sick days during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Ford has not committed to extending the policy once the public health crisis is over.
And while the Tories emphasize their labor ties, the NDP has the approval of the grandfather of all unions.
The Ontario Labor Federation, which acts as an umbrella group for Ontario unions, released an ad last week supporting the New Democrats.
Joseph Rose, an honorary professor at DeGroote School of Business, said it all fits into broader scenarios around labor issues.
For many years, unions are likely to support the NDP, Rose said, noting that in the 2000s, unions in industry and the public sector tended to support the vote strategically, “to ensure that computers do not come to power.” “.
“Has organized labor decided to throw all its weight or key unions behind the NDP and withdraw from strategic voting?” If so, this probably reflects the belief that if a party can overthrow the Tories, it is more likely to be the opposition NDP.
As for the construction unions, which are throwing their weight behind Ford, this is also not unheard of, he said.
“The story is that in most parts of Canada, construction unions are the more conservative element in the labor movement,” Rose said. “So they are much more conservative than, say, a union like Unifor or most public sector unions, including OPSEU and teachers.”
The union representing high school teachers at least adheres to the strategic method of voting. The Ontario High School Teachers Federation has so far approved individual candidates – some NDP, some Liberals.
Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca positioned himself on Tuesday as a more labor-friendly alternative to Ford.
“The government, in the last few months of its four-year term, has decided to make a series of announcements and launch a series of press releases,” he said during the election campaign. “Press releases do not mean progress. Words are empty if they are not backed up by real action. “
Ontario’s election is scheduled for June 2.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 17, 2022.
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