DSW Appreciation Week: time to celebrate, time to mobilize

This week, we proudly recognize and celebrate the compassion, dedication and strength of Developmental Support Workers (DSWs) across Ontario. As frontline workers, you play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities. With your compassion, your skill and unwavering commitment, you provide support, advocate for inclusion, and ensure dignity…

Frustrated by nearly two years of bargaining, workers at Kinark Child and Family Services vote to authorize strike

PETERBOROUGH, ON – For years, young people languishing on waitlists have known that all is not right at Kinark Child and Family Services; workers, too, have felt the burden of growing caseloads and shrinking resources. Now, with a resounding strike vote, everyone who cares about the well-being of children and families in Peterborough and Northumberland…

Kunuwanimano Child & Family Services and CUPE 5304 have issued the following joint statement regarding their labour negotiations

TIMMINS, ON – Kunuwanimano Child & Family Services and CUPE 5304 are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached. Both parties will recommend ratification to their respective constituents. We acknowledge that during the negotiation, CUPE 5304 released a statement that caused offence to the communities we serve. For that, CUPE 5304 unequivocally…

After a four-year long struggle for their first collective agreement, over 90 per cent of child protection workers at Kunuwanimano sign petition fighting for a fair contract

TIMMINS, ON – Child protection workers at Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services (KCFS) are stuck in an impossible position. Workers regularly experience violence or face threats and harassment while doing their jobs. But they’re also scared of being reprimanded for voicing concerns about their safety. With 15 workers currently on sick leave because of trauma…

1,200 hospital department closures, untold patient suffering: unions call on Doug Ford to enter hospital negotiations and address ongoing crisis

OCHU/CUPE, SEIU Healthcare and Unifor say the government must prevent further closures by entering hospital negotiations to invest in frontline staff. Toronto, Ontario – In response to yesterday’s damning report by the Auditor General and a new report by the Ontario Health Coalition revealing nearly 1,200 Emergency Room and other hospital department shutdowns in 2023,…

Developmental service workers vow to keep fighting for programs and a fair contract as day programs close

Guelph, ON – After a two-month-long fight by families, workers, and allies, Community Living Guelph Wellington’s day program and EmployMEnt Options have closed not with a bang, but with a whimper. CLGW’s September announcement that they were facing a $3 million deficit led many to hope for a last-minute government intervention. Local MPPs met with…