TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Labour Relations Board today certified the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) as the union for workers at Youthdale Treatment Centres, a youth and family mental health agency operating in Toronto and Magnetawan, Ontario. “This is a strong and dedicated group of workers who are looking forward to having a…
Toronto, ON — CUPE Ontario is disappointed by the Ford Conservative’s announcement revealing a vague strategy to fundamentally redesign the child welfare system—without new funding in a chronically underfunded system, the plan is destined for failure. “Families and service providers are concerned—just last year Ford wanted to cut $28 million from Children’s Aid Societies. If…
Toronto, ON — In the attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19 the Government of Ontario recently introduced restrictions to limit the number of agencies that frontline workers can be actively employed in; however, the government’s actions made workers in developmental services fall through the cracks. The workers, who support people with disabilities, report significant…
(Toronto, ON) – Children’s Aid Societies must acknowledge and take action on anti-Black racism in sector, says CUPE Ontario. “Now more than ever, we must use our collective voice to make real change in Children’s Aid Societies across the province,” says Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam, CUPE Ontario Social Services Chair. “As long as employers and powerful…
Millions watched as George Floyd was murdered, and millions more are organizing to stop state-sanctioned violence and abolish racism across the globe. We support the larger movement for Black lives and echo the demands of groups like Black Lives Matter – Toronto who have been calling for racial equality since 2014, and the countless other…
On June 24, CUPE Ontario celebrates Developmental Service Worker Appreciation Day—a day dedicated to recognizing the crucial work done by workers in developmental services to support people with intellectual and physical disabilities. CUPE Ontario recognizes the important role workers in developmental services play in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and more broadly, our…
Toronto, ON — Child care centres across Ontario remain closed today despite Ford’s announcement that re-opening could commence. “Premier Ford simply hasn’t given child care centres adequate notice, support, or guidelines – it took emergency child care centres three weeks to prepare for opening, not three days,” says Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam, CUPE Ontario Social Services…
Toronto, ON — CUPE Ontario warns that Ford’s plan to reopen child care centres disregards the safety of children and child care staff as the government ignores calls for additional funding, staffing, and training needed to prepare the sector. “Premier Ford continues to demonstrate that he can’t be trusted to safely reopen child care centres…
TORONTO – Without adequate PPE and protocols, developmental services residences will become the next major sites of COVID-19 cases in Ontario, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 8,000 workers at 64 residences across the province. The union is demanding the provincial government provide proper protections for people with developmental disabilities and…
TORONTO, ON – CUPE Ontario will join the Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) and its labour and community allies for a rally at Queen’s Park, starting at 11:30 a.m. on February 18. The OAC and allies are raising concerns about the plans for a new funding arrangement for children with autism that was promised for April…
