Destiny's Child, the local parent's association, are worried about the education workers going on strike and the

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Question:

Destiny's Child", the local parent's association, are worried about the education workers going on strike and the impact this will have on them and their children. The "Backstreet Boys", the local bargaining unit for CUPE, are advocating for increased wages, and better benefits for school custodians. The "Spice Girls," are the local bargaining unit for early childhood educators, who also want increased wages and better benefits, like their "Backstreet Boys" brethren's. Stephen Lychee and the "Boyz II Men" are representing the Ontario government, who have been tasked with ensuring that school remains open, and a mandate from taxpayers to tighten up their purse strings. (In this world, there is no ability to use the "notwithstanding clause" as it would be political suicide for the government to do so.)

Destiny's Child

No, no, no! It's the fear of losing your breath amidst the looming threat of another education-related strike! The emotional and financial toll a strike would mean to your member's - consisting of low-income families, independent women, and their boys and girls, survivors who are soldiering on in these uncertain economic times - is deeply concerning. For once, you want the parties to stand up for the love of the children, cater to you and your needs, and not be bugaboos about going on strike, somehow. On one hand, you are a taxpayer, and concerned that a huge wage increase would translate to increased taxes for you, and with inflation jumping, jumping, like your grocery bills, bills, bills. As member Kelly Roland put it at the last meeting, "We can't support a 10% wage increase because the writings on the wall - more taxes for us, and that's not bootylicious! Now who's with me on that! Say my name!" However, other members want to see those who help with their children, such as the custodians, librarians, the staff who help their kids get on the bus, get properly compensated and hope this can be accomplished without a strike taking place.

Backstreet Boys

"Quit playing games!" That's the chant of protesting members of CUPE, tired of being the ones giving all they have to give and being shown the meaning of being lonely, not receiving the call from the government, to continue negotiations. For years, your members would get it going on, being overworked and underappreciated. As much as they would go anywhere for the students and do everything for everybody, as long as you loved them, this time, they want more than that. The government's incomplete promises, coupled with members drowning in debt, it's larger than life itself. Members are willing to strike for these raises and want it that way to get more job security and benefits. However, they are upset about the collateral damage this will do to parents and children. As AJ MacLeod put it, "We've got it going on for years! It's time the government get down from their high horses and quit playing games! I know we told parents that we'll never break their hearts - but what about the shape of my heart?"

Spice Girls

Your members just want to say goodbye to wage freezes and be paid fairly with increases tied to the rate of inflation each year. You can barely pay rent, and it's not like you are trying to spice up your life with an outrageous wage demand. You stand in solidarity with the "Backstreet Boys" as 2 become 1, at the bargaining table. Your members feel they have been conceding too much and want to stop giving in. While you are concerned with the impact it will have on the mamas and papas and all the students, you hope their friendship never ends when you go on strike, and they also support you. Viktoria Beckers was vocal at the last meeting, hollering at everyone to show up to protest on Friday. "Strike starts tomorrow! Say you'll be there! Viva forever!"

Boyz II Men

Stephen Lychee understands the concerns of parents and students. They have gone through 4 seasons of loneliness during the pandemic, and don't want another work stoppage. If they can avoid going on strike in schools across Canada, Motown, Philly, and all over the United States, why does it always happen in Ontario? Mr. Lychee feels that the government has been on bended knee, proposing a generous offer of 2.5% increase for those making less than $40,000 and 1.5% increases to everyone else is all he can do. After letting it snow on teachers and other unions, the water has run dry, and the government cannot be vibing anymore with budget deficits. Despite this, you are trying everything to avoid a strike. "Uhh ahh, this is a song for the mamas and papas out there, we thank you in advance, for your patience and don't want this opportunity to pass you by. We are not doing just fine, but we will get there! We want you to relax your mind and think about the colour of love! We want to make love to you, not war! We are willing to negotiate in the still of the night to avoid a strike. However, it appears the union have reached the end of the road in negotiations! Please don't go on strike - it will be so hard to say goodbye to yesterday!" declared Mr. Lychee at a speech on CBC news, after taking the unprecedented step to invite parent's groups to participate in the mediation.

You will be assigned one of the four groups, who have decided to make one last ditched effort to avoid a strike by going through community mediation. I will also pick a mediator.