On International Women’s Day, hospital staff call out Ontario’s government for failing and devaluing them and cutting their real wages through Bill 124

COVID-19, Governmental, Health Care, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – Today (March 8, International Women’s Day) we collectively acknowledge the contribution women make to better Ontarians’ lives. “While we celebrate women’s efforts from all walks of life, it’s imperative that we call out our provincial government for pushing wage and workplace policies that hurt economic equality and the health – both physical…

Health care unions: Doug Ford’s ad hoc gestures won’t fix the worsening health human resource crisis

COVID-19, Governmental, Health Care

Unions representing 220,000 workers demand the repeal of Bill 124 and a real plan to fix the worsening health human resource crisis in Ontario TORONTO, ON – Today, OCHU/CUPE, SEIU Healthcare, Unifor, and Ontario Nurses’ Association, unions representing 220,000 health care workers across Ontario, including 85,000 nurses issued     an open letter to Premier Ford to…

No more distractions, political ploys, or stunts: CUPE Ontario says people deserve much more than a $120 cheque

COVID-19, Governmental, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – Ontarians struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living deserve better than the political ploy of eliminating license renewal fees, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “This would be laughable if it wasn’t such an insult,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario. “We’re still coming out…

Outside workers in Southwold and West Elgin join CUPE

Parents, workers launch public campaign to demand that Sioux Lookout council “ensure the continuity of vital services for families”, following the announced closure of two children’s centres

Child Care, COVID-19, Municipal, Social Services, Solidarity

Sioux Lookout, ON—Parents, workers, and community members are launching a public campaign to demand that the Municipality of Sioux Lookout reverse their decision to close Biidaaban Children’s Centre and Sioux Mountain Children’s Centre that provide quality child care to more than 200 families in the region. “Many parents are rightfully concerned and disappointed by the…

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…

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…

Central Ontario sees spending cuts of $4.7-billion, public sector workers lose $626-million: CUPE Ontario

COVID-19, Governmental, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – It’s time for the Ford Conservatives to commit to historic investments in public services with its last budget before the provincial election, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during consultations. “There is only one way forward, and that is for Ontario to commit to major and historic investments in…