“We are approaching a major crisis of care:” Kenora District paramedics call for provincial and municipal investments in emergency services and community health

COVID-19, Paramedics, Solidarity

Kenora, ON – CUPE Local 5911 paramedics serving the District of Kenora are advocating for investments from the provincial and municipal governments to improve ambulance coverage for patients calling 911 and working conditions for paramedics. In addition to more direct funding for the paramedic service, the union is also calling for investments in community health…

“Paramedics deserve urgent attention”: CUPE Ontario’s First Responders’ Day statement

COVID-19, Governmental, Paramedics, Solidarity

On May 1 2022, First Responders Day, we acknowledge the life-saving work of nearly 6,000 CUPE paramedics and dispatchers in Emergency Medical Services while calling attention to the crisis in the sector. Last October, when we surveyed CUPE EMS members, the results painted a bleak picture of understaffed paramedic services, widespread ambulance shortages, and severe…

Ontario Budget 2022: child care plan can’t work without a workforce strategy. ECEs and child care workers are worth more than Ford’s budget

Child Care, Governmental, Solidarity

Toronto, ON— Child care advocates are warning the Ford government that without a better plan to solve the child care workforce shortage, their budget’s promise to build 86,000 new child care spaces will fail. “We have a child care workforce crisis right now, driven by low wages. As a result, child care centres are closing…

This budget is an election ploy: CUPE Ontario responds to underwhelming budget announcement

COVID-19, Governmental, Health Care, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – Ontarians shouldn’t buy this spin from a government that’s trying to buy an election, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “Ontarians have long been desperate for real action that would bolster the public services they rely on but today we got nothing more than misleading spending promises that aren’t…

Image shows Yoland and Fred, their hands raised in fists for labour union solidarity, against a backdrop with the CUPE ON Convention 2022 logo in English. It reads "Demand Better, Vote Together: The Ontario WE Deserve"

“We made history”: CUPE Ontario re-elects President Fred Hahn and elects Secretary-Treasurer Yolanda McClean

ConventionNews22, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – With CUPE Ontario’s second virtual convention, and 58th in its history, still underway, delegates re-elected Fred Hahn as President and elected Yolanda McClean as Secretary-Treasurer, making history. “I’m so thankful and humbled that the hard-working front-line workers and members of CUPE Ontario have entrusted me yet again with this position,” said Fred…

Cornwall city workers call on municipal government to incorporate stronger public services in “healthy communities” vision

Municipal, Solidarity

Cornwall, ON — City of Cornwall workers are calling on the municipality to incorporate decent working conditions and stronger public services in its vision of being a “welcoming and healthy community.” “City workers are also part of the community and we want Cornwall to be a great place to live. That requires strong public services…

National Day of Mourning solemn reminder of the consequences of diminished health and safety spending

Governmental, Injured Workers, Solidarity

Toronto, ON — Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, funding to Ontario’s health and safety associations declined by approximately 17 per cent between 2013 to 2020. On April 28, National Workers’ Day of Mourning for those who lost their lives on the job, CUPE calls on all political parties to commit to improved spending on…