A budget of smoke, mirrors and spin won’t protect Ontario jobs in the tariff wars: CUPE Ontario

TORONTO – The province’s largest union condemned the failure of the Ford Conservatives’ budget to meet Ontarians’ needs with a dramatic expansion of public services that would build communities, create jobs and improve lives. “Doug Ford still masquerades as Captain Canada. But as far as Ontarians are concerned, ‘elbows up’ should be about public services,…

New study reveals hospital spending on for-profit staffing agencies in Ontario’s South East region rose by 181 per cent over 10 years

Across Ontario, hospitals spent $9.2 billion on staffing agencies between 2013-14 and 2022-23   Picton, ON – A new research report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recommends Ontario make significant increases in hospital funding while phasing out costly for-profit staffing agencies and making investments in preventative health care. The report Hollowed Out: Ontario…

New study reveals hospital spending on for-profit staffing agencies in Ontario’s South East region rose by 181 per cent over 10 years

Across Ontario, hospitals spent $9.2 billion on staffing agencies between 2013-14 and 2022-23   Kingston, ON – A new research report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recommends Ontario make significant increases in hospital funding while phasing out costly for-profit staffing agencies and making investments in preventative health care. The report Hollowed Out: Ontario…

CUPE- A Letter to Ontario Workers

TORONTO – Dear Ontario Workers, As the president of Ontario Compensation Employees Union, a proud member of CUPE, I represent over 3600 workers at the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). Workplace Safety & Insurance Board employees serve workers, their families, and employers in Ontario, providing compensation for loss of earnings, benefits and health care…

For-profit staffing agency costs rose by 181 per cent for South East region hospitals in Ontario over 10 years

Private staffing agencies drained $9.2 billion from public hospitals over 10-year period Belleville, ON – A new research report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recommends Ontario make significant increases in hospital funding while phasing out costly for-profit staffing agencies and making investments in preventative health care. The report Hollowed Out: Ontario public hospitals…

Ontario students deserve better: Ahead of provincial budget, OSBCU demands action on education understaffing, funding crisis

TORONTO – There is a crisis in public education in Ontario. Classrooms are frequently evacuated because of violent episodes, completely disrupting the learning environment for students. Educational Assistants are overburdened with work and students are not provided the supports they need. Libraries are closing for days at a time because school boards do not have…

For-profit staffing agency costs rose by 168 per cent for Central East region hospitals in Ontario over 10 years

Peterborough, ON – A new research report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recommends Ontario make significant increases in hospital funding while phasing out costly for-profit staffing agencies and making investments in preventative health care. The report Hollowed Out: Ontario public hospitals and the rise of private staffing agencies shows a co-relation between the…

Pre-budget poll shows Ontarians expect government to defend jobs by investing in public services

TORONTO – In the run-up to the provincial budget, CUPE Ontario commissioned a public opinion poll to gauge Ontarians’ attitudes toward taxation, funding for public services, health-care privatization, and job creation, as well as specifics about recent decisions of the Ford Conservatives. “Doug Ford and his Conservatives like to say that they’re ‘for the people’…

“We can’t let the WSIB exploit our compassion for injured workers in order to force a deal that puts us even further behind,” says OCEU president.

TORONTO – Members of OCEU/CUPE 1750 were at Queen’s Park yesterday to update Ontario workers on the continued challenges they are facing in their negotiations with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). “If the WSIB cannot present an offer that respects my coworkers and our needs, we will be forced to take legal strike…