As outbreaks in Ontario long-term care homes continue, why are residents not being taken to hospital for higher care?

COVID-19, Health Care

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…

Ontario health care workers need protections now, Premier must use emergency powers to order mass production of masks

COVID-19, Health Care, Solidarity

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…

“We are exposed” CUPE health care members protest as government inaction starves hospitals and long-term care homes of N-95 masks

COVID-19, Health Care

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…

Health minister misinformed: 87 per cent of Ontario health care staff polled say not enough PPE on hand to keep them safe

COVID-19, Health and Safety, Health Care, Solidarity

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.…

COVID-19 infections among Ontario health care workers spike Release more N95 masks, other protections before it’s too late to curb spread

COVID-19, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – The fight against the spread of COVID-19 hinges on Ontario hospital and long-term care, home care workers and paramedics not contracting the virus in large numbers, so that they can care for the sick across the province.  But already dozens of health care staff have COVID-19. This includes one who is very ill…

Ontario government is not doing enough to protect them or the people they care for, say 70 per cent of hospital staff polled

Health Care

TORONTO — More than 2400 hospital staff took part Saturday in an urgent Ontario-wide conference call sponsored by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) focused on the impact of COVID-19 on them as they care for the sick. Throughout the information-based call, several key questions were posed to the hospital workers. When asked if…

One of the strongest protections for Ontarians is to keep health-care workers healthy and working during COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19, Health Care, Solidarity

Toronto – March 13, 2020: Ontarians know that they can count on the commitment of the province’s health- care workers to provide the best and safest care possible under challenging conditions, including under the current Pandemic COVID-19 outbreak. This is why nurses and other front-line health-care workers are calling on the Ontario Government to ensure…

Health care unions call for honest, frank collaboration from Ontario government regarding COVID-19 protection for health care workers

COVID-19, Health Care

Toronto – March 11, 2020: The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are calling for honest and frank collaboration with the Government of Ontario regarding guidelines for COVID-19 protection…