Over 55,000 Ontario education workers strike in defiance of ‘draconian’ law

Move comes after Canada's most populous province fast-tracked bill that fines striking workers C$4,000 a day

More than 55,000 education workers in Ontario have walked off the job, pledging to strike for as long as it takes" in defiance a draconian" new law amid a bitter fight with the provincial government over pay.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents custodial staff, early childhood education and education support workers, launched the strike on Friday, despite legislation fast-tracked by the Ontario premier, Doug Ford, that bars it from striking and unilaterally imposes a contract on employees.