Contract negotiations for 70,000 Ontario hospital workers break down over hospitals’ refusal to seriously address health and safety issues, including pandemic protection and violence

COVID-19, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – “We are deeply disappointed that Ontario’s hospitals will not seriously address the pressing health and safety needs of registered practical nurses, personal support workers, clerical, cleaners and other front-line hospital staff,” say the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and SEIU Healthcare in announcing the break down of contract negotiations for 70,000…

“Today is a day to reflect”: CUPE Ontario recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Aboriginal Council, Solidarity

When the Federal government legislated a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, CUPE Ontario saw this as a long overdue but important step toward reconciliation. As the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission indicate, the work of reconciliation is an enormous undertaking that requires deep commitment and careful reflection. Sadly, Canada…

Image shows Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario against a black background.

Union calls for Ontario to institute distancing, capacity limits at universities

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

TORONTO – A union representing workers on university campuses in Ontario called Thursday for the government to put classroom capacity limits and distancing requirements in place to better protect students and staff from COVID-19. Ontario announced earlier this month that it wouldn’t require distancing or class caps when post-secondary institutions resume in-person learning. CUPE Ontario…

Outraged the University of Toronto colluded with Conservative Government to strip them of COVID-19 protections in the name of revenue, CUPE 3902 encourages members to learn how to refuse unsafe work

COVID-19, University

Toronto, ON — 11,500 academic workers at the University of Toronto, who are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3902, are mobilizing for an education campaign today geared towards teaching each other how to refuse unsafe work during this hazardous return to campus. Contract academic workers are frustrated that the Ford…

“We need additional measures to safely reopen campuses”: CUPE Ontario’s University Sector calls for capacity limits and physical distancing requirements

COVID-19, University

TORONTO, ON – The Government of Ontario’s decision to remove Step 3 guidelines, like physical distancing requirements and capacity limits for in-class instruction at Universities and Colleges, is a recipe for disaster, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. Leaders from CUPE Ontario’s University Sector, representing academic workers and support staff, as well…

Picture shows Rob Ford, wearing a black face mask, wearing a suit and positioned in front of two hanging Ontario flags.

Ontario didn’t spend money from COVID-19 response program in first quarter: watchdog

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

TORONTO – Ontario did not spend any funds from a new $2.7-billion COVID-19 response program in the first quarter, the province’s fiscal watchdog found, prompting critics to question why the government didn’t use the money during the third wave. A Wednesday report from the Financial Accountability Office found health spending was $691 million lower than…