Chronic short staffing, COVID-19 outbreaks compromise vital services for adults with developmental disabilities in Brampton

COVID-19, Governmental, Social Services

Brampton, ON—Developmental service workers in Brampton and Caledon call for adequate staffing and government support to address growing staff shortages, and safety concerns, in the region. “Chronic short staffing, coupled with inadequate funding compromises the quality of life of adults with developmental disabilities. We don’t have the staffing levels needed to ensure the safety of…

Right move to add more full-time staff at Peel LTC homes, says CUPE 966, lauding collaborative approach to staffing crisis

COVID-19, Health Care, Municipal, Time To Care

Mississauga, ON – Front-line workers in Peel’s long-term care homes who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 966 are publicly lauding Regional Council for its collaborative approach to the staffing crisis and listening to their appeals for more full-time resident care staff. In a letter sent to the municipal council on…

“For more than a century, Black Trade Unionists have persevered”: CUPE Ontario Statement on Black History Month

Racial Justice, Solidarity

February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month, a month in which we celebrate Black excellence while also reflecting upon the difficult and often violent conditions that surround this excellence. We celebrate the contributions that people of African and Caribbean heritage have made to Canada and the labour movement in spite of tremendous obstacles.…

“From the ‘Freedom convoy’ to Bill 21, we must end Islamophobia and hate”: CUPE Ontario Statement on National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

Human RIghts, Solidarity

Five years ago today, on January 29th, 2017, a gunman entered a mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslims during a prayer service. The shooter, fueled by white supremacist, Islamophobic rhetoric killed six worshippers and injured 19 others. Today, on National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, we remember Mamadou…

“Solidarity means collective responsibility for public health”: CUPE Ontario responds to concerning tweets

Municipal, Paramedics, Solidarity

Yesterday, a CUPE paramedic local in Windsor-Essex published a concerning twitter thread that does not reflect the beliefs and values of our union, including those of the vast majority of first responders who are vaccinated. CUPE has always encouraged members to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their family, and their community. But the work is…

Bringing hospital, long-term care staff sick with COVID-19 back to work early, dangerous way to deal with staffing crisis say CUPE and SEIU

COVID-19, Governmental, Health Care

Two of Ontario’s largest health care unions are asking the provincial government to rescind a new pandemic guidance order they believe creates an unacceptable level of risk for hospital patients, long-term care residents and health care staff by enabling hospitals and long-term care employers to order potentially sick or still infectious health care workers with…

Paramedics call on Niagara EMS service to address staffing crisis as Code Zeroes increase during Omicron wave

COVID-19, Paramedics

TORONTO, ON – The staffing crisis in Niagara’s Emergency Medical Services has worsened during the ongoing Omicron wave and requires immediate attention as critical ambulance shortages grow, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 911. Niagara EMS service is witnessing frequent Code Zeros, occasions when there are no ambulances available to respond to 911…