Please Click Here to find recent news, events and information from CUPE Ontario.
This Labour Day CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Ontario launches its “Your Vote Matters – Use It” campaign, encouraging Ontarians to vote for public services in municipal and school board elections this fall.
“The critical services that CUPE members provide in towns, cities and schools across Ontario touch people’s lives every day,” says Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario.
“Our members are keeping the lights on and our water clean. We’re looking after people’s children in childcare centres. We are residents’ support system in long-term care homes. We are there for all Ontarians with emergency medical services and delivering social and housing supports. And we’re keeping schools safe and clean, providing vital education support services for children with disabilities and are critical to the success of Ontario’s youngest learners.”
Since the last municipal and school board elections in 2010, CUPE members have been fighting cuts and the privatization of vital public services in municipalities and school boards across Ontario.
“Labour Day is a time to celebrate the contributions of working people, and CUPE members are proud of the important work we do to provide high quality public services all across the broader public sector,” says CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick.
“October’s elections are an opportunity to elect representatives who understand the importance of that work, and who support well funded public services.”
As Ontario’s largest union, CUPE Ontario represents more than 240,000 people who work in municipalities, social services, school boards, universities, health care and airlines.
“We are urging all our members to use their vote on October 27 to stand up for public services,” says Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, “and to talk with others in their communities to encourage them to do the same.”
“We are front-line workers who provide these important services, but we are also members of our communities who rely on them. CUPE members know that mayors, councillors and school trustees have direct control over services that affect the lives of our families, friends and neighbours.”
Concludes Hahn: “That’s why we are encouraging all Ontarians to cast their vote in favour of public services.”
– 30 –
CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn, Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick and thousands of CUPE members will attend Toronto’s 143rd Labour Day Parade on Monday, September 1, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CUPE Ontario members will assemble in Section 2 at 9am on the west side of University Avenue, south of Dundas Street.
For more information, contact Mary Unan, CUPE Communications, 905 739 3999, ext. 379, or 647 390 9839
