TORONTO, ON – Today for the first time during the COVID-19 crisis Ontario health care workers are openly protesting provincial government decisions they say divide the workforce into those who are front-line heroes and those whose vital contribution goes completely unrecognized. Outdoor protests by hospital staff represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are…
We at CUPE Ontario are beyond heartbroken that a second CUPE health care member has tragically died of COVID-19. We honour the memory of a treasured personal support worker (PSW), a loving father and spouse, and well-loved colleague of the members of CUPE 2199 at the Madonna Community Care home in Ottawa. To his family…
TORONTO, ON – In just eight days the number of Ontario health care workers infected with COVID-19 rose from 2016 on April 27 to 2892 on May 5. This is an increase of 876 infections, an alarming 43.5 per cent jump. Today more than 3000 Ontario health care workers are infected with COVID-19. Those on…
TORONTO, ON – A wage increase for some Ontario health care and social service staff is belated recognition by the provincial government of the immense contribution and sacrifice this mostly female workforce is making in the fight against COVID-19, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said today. “It is also, in our view, a…
TORONTO, ON – The crisis in congregate living environments, like long-term care, can be solved by following the strategies of nations which are more successful: aggressive testing of all residents and staff and the relocation of those with COVID-19 to specialized facilities, CUPE said today. A limited number of military personnel will bolster hospital staff…
TORONTO, ON – As thousands of hospital staff from many different occupations selflessly volunteer to work in long-term care (LTC) homes afflicted with COVID-19 outbreaks, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is asking whether the decision not to transfer residents to hospital is sound. In other jurisdictions, which are far more successful at containing…
TORONTO, ON – Ontario’s Premier today told health care staff fighting COVID-19 that following next week, they will be left exposed, without the personal protections needed to keep them from getting infected. Michael Hurley president of the hospital division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is urging the Premier to use the government’s…
TORONTO, ON – A new Ontario government policy that gives access to full COVID-19 protection – including N95 masks – to some health care workers while excluding others is “cruel and unfair”, say hospital and long-term care (LTC) workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). A one-day province-wide workplace action is planned…
TORONTO, ON – On Saturday, after Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliot announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) it was readily available, 87 per cent of health care staff polled by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) reported that they do not have access to the PPE they need to deal with COVID-19 patients.…
