El Jones

El Jones, a spoken word artist and former CUPE member, delivered a powerful performance of her original poem “#PublicServicesSaveLives” on day three of the CUPE Ontario Convention 2021. The piece was specifically written for this event. Click below to watch the video.

Social services resolutions highlight urgent need to protect frontline workers from COVID-19; resist and repeal the unconstitutional Bill 124; and address gaps in internal policies to protect members from sexualized violence and harassment

Additional resolutions aim to support CUPE’s lead child care coalition partner, the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) and prioritize first-hand member stories in a comprehensive public awareness campaign. Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam, Chair of Ontario’s Social Service Workers’ Coordinating Committee (SSWCC), encouraged convention delegates to support Resolution No. 5 that calls on CUPE Ontario…

Day 3 Convention Newsletter

On the second day of our first-ever virtual convention, delegates continued debates over timely resolutions, applauded members who received well-deserved awards, heard about our exciting Action Plan, and exercised the collective and democratic power of voting for some of our most critical positions. Delegates re-elected Fred Hahn as President and Candace Rennick as Secretary-Treasurer. Also…

Day 2 Convention Newsletter

“A historic opportunity” “This may be an historic crisis, but it’s also an historic opportunity to collectively make Ontario the best possible province it could be,” said Fred Hahn during the convention video that kicked off our first virtual convention. Also in this newsletter: Hopefulness despite the challenges; From the National Officers to Ontario; A democratic union’s…

Pre-Convention Newsletter

CUPE Ontario’s 57th Annual Convention Begins. Over 1,000 delegates are getting together to build power. We’ve been through a lot the last year. We’ve lost loved ones and neighbours and we’ve witnessed our communities avoidably burdened instead of supported. But we’re getting through this because Public Services Save Lives and because, together, we’re building power…

Health care resolutions call for end to for-profit LTC, privatization of patient care, and exploitation of racialized health care workers

In a year dominated by a pandemic, health care resolutions kicked off the policy and action plan debate at CUPE Ontario’s 57th annual convention. CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick urged delegates to support Resolution #55, calling for the Provincial government takeover of privately-owned and managed long-term care homes and the creation of a system that…