Ford Government must protect frontline workers and stop letting employers off the hook for workplace COVID-19 outbreaks: paramedic union

COVID-19, Paramedics

WATERLOO, ON – Region of Waterloo paramedics are being denied WSIB claims after contracting COVID-19, a move that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) believes is being enabled by the Ford Government’s unwillingness to hold employers accountable for workplace outbreaks. “Having fallen ill with COVID-19 from working was scary enough,” said one Region of…

Province must provide direction, support for students and staff working in schools during COVID shutdown

COVID-19, School Boards

TORONTO, ON – Even in the current emergency shutdown in Ontario, thousands of students continue to go to school and continue to be supported by education workers. To protect everyone’s health and safety, the union that represents 55,000 education workers is calling on the provincial government to implement some straightforward measures that will lower the…

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Enquiries

COVID-19, Health Care, Social Services

Last night, CUPE Ontario held a Town Hall Call on the COVID-19 vaccine. Guest Panelist and infectious disease expert Dr. Tara Moriarty from the University of Toronto noted the following: 1)      If you’re a Canadian who would like to ATTEND our nightly Zoom sessions about COVID-19 vaccine safety, please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrp0-GkyZS1Oe4cu4T7F6t1xdumCr9HmWo5dUwAYaRaw0AWw/viewform 2)      If you’d like to request a special…

“When we mourn together, we are not alone”: CUPE Ontario’s statement on Transgender Remembrance Day

COVID-19, Pink Triangle, Solidarity

On November 20, CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members join our communities in observing Transgender Remembrance Day and in celebrating our collective victories while recommitting to addressing the many challenges that still exist. The challenges are long-standing and speak to virulent transphobia which has taken root everywhere, even in otherwise progressive and inclusive institutions and communities. Today, we’re seeing…

Ford Conservatives aren’t listening to scientific experts with new COVID-19 guidelines

COVID-19, Health Care

(TORONTO, ON) – CUPE Ontario is raising alarm bells about an explosive report in today’s Toronto Star illustrating how the Ford Conservatives are ignoring some of Ontario’s top public health experts by setting thresholds four times higher in new COVID-19 guidelines than those recommended by public health specialists. “What is being reported today goes beyond…

“A second budget and a second chance during a second wave”: CUPE Ontario says the Fall Budget is an opportunity to protect and support Ontarians

COVID-19, Governmental

TORONTO, ON – Tomorrow’s Fall Budget is an opportunity for the Government of Ontario to lay out a spending plan that will protect and support Ontarians, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “We need a change of course starting tomorrow,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario. “The Ford Conservatives have expertly…

CUPE welcomes Ontario government’s move towards a legislated care standard – urges swift action on Bill 13

COVID-19, Health Care, Time To Care

TORONTO, ON. – As the second wave of COVID-19 makes staffing a critical issue in long-term care homes, the Canadian Union of Public Employees is urging the Ontario legislature to pass Bill 13, the Time to Care Act. The proposed legislation passed second reading today but must go through a third and final reading before…