Youth justice workers call for expanded Ombudsman’s investigation into facility closures

Toronto, ON—CUPE urges the Ontario Ombudsman to expand the scope of its investigation into the sudden, covert closure of 26 youth justice facilities that occurred earlier this month.  CUPE workers at three of the closed facilities describe the Ministry’s closure decision and operation as “cruel, unjust, and heartless”. The investigation must explore the rights of…

The Ford government is handing out $15-billion in electrical subsidies to companies like Loblaws: CUPE Ontario

TORONTO, ON – The government is handing over money through electricity subsidies to large, profitable, industrial and commercial businesses, money that should instead be used to bolster critical public services that keep Ontarians safe, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “Companies like Loblaws who have actually profited during this pandemic are getting…

Years of systemic ageism in health policies contributed to more than 280 Ottawa long-term care residents dying of COVID-19; Ontario human rights inquiry needed

OTTAWA, ON – Years of systemic ageism in Ontario’s health system that treats the elderly as though their right to care is lesser than others contributed to more than 280 Ottawa long-term care residents dying from COVID-19 in the last year, say advocates who yesterday asked the Human Rights Commission for a ground-breaking probe. The…

Advocates call for landmark Ontario Human Rights Commission inquiry into discrimination and denial of needed health care for the elderly

TORONTO, ON – Ontario’s Human Rights Commission today is being urged to undertake what could be a landmark systemic public inquiry into age discrimination in the provision of health care in the province. In their letter (http://bit.ly/OHRC-letter-210316) to the Commission, the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Advocacy…

More Mt. Sinai clerical workers join CUPE

TORONTO, ON – Part-time clerical workers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto have voted to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Canada’s largest health care union. The ballot count was delayed for more than three months by technical objections from the group’s former bargaining agent, NOWU. Finally, on March 15, the Ontario Labour Relations Board…

“Use our Skills!” Unemployed airline workers can support vaccination efforts: CUPE Ontario

TORONTO, ON – As mass immunization efforts ramp up across the province, CUPE Ontario is calling for temporarily unemployed airline workers to be prioritized as an available workforce to support COVID-19 vaccination clinics. “Most airline workers possess first-aid training, speak multiple languages, and have federal security clearance” said Jill Patterson, the Vice-President of CUPE Local…