When the Federal government legislated a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, CUPE Ontario saw this as a long overdue but important step toward reconciliation. As the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission indicate, the work of reconciliation is an enormous undertaking that requires deep commitment and careful reflection. Sadly, Canada…
TORONTO, ON – Workers at Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project became the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) today. The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) issued a decision today confirming the workers’ unanimous vote in favour of unionizing. “This is a historic moment for Maggie’s and the broader sex worker…
BRADFORD, ON – Library workers in Bradford West Gwillimbury became the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), following a very strong vote yesterday. “This is a group or workers who got together and decided it was time to make positive changes in their workplace,” said Craig Saunders, a CUPE representative who…
Peterborough, ON — St. Joseph’s at Fleming front-line staff and home administrators banded together at a community rally today to tell the Ford government that a wage cap policy under Bill 124 is disproportionately harming not-for-profit care homes and must be repealed. Like other not-for-profit homes in Ontario, St. Joseph’s at Fleming is captured under…
When the Federal Government announced that, in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th would become a statutory holiday in Canada, CUPE Ontario saw this is a necessary step in the right direction. It’s therefore disappointing and revealing that, unlike British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia, the Ford Conservatives will not formally recognize the day…
ELMVALE, ON – Municipal “outside” workers in the Township of Springwater became the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) today. The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) issued a decision today confirming last week’s strong vote in favour of unionizing. The workers perform important services including maintaining the township’s roads, parks and…
TORONTO, ON – Over 350 professors, sessional instructors, teaching assistants, and administrative staff at York University have signed an open letter calling on President Rhonda Lenton to allow educators to opt for remote teaching – to protect their students and the broader campus community. “York’s ‘safety plans’ fail to account for the heightened danger posed…
Post-secondary students and workers in colleges and universities have faced many challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. While the announcement that post-secondary institutions will be opening in the fall is exciting news, safety needs to be the top priority. Sadly, with less than a week before the fall term begins, guidelines have finally been introduced but…
HAMILTON, ON – Leaders from the union that represents custodial and maintenance staff at Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) are sounding the alarm about the loss of enhanced cleaning jobs in schools, saying that the cuts put students and staff at greater risk of catching COVID-19. “Enhanced cleaning measures were crucial to stopping the spread…
This Labour Day, there’s certainly lots for working people to be concerned about. Elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, are reopening without the safety measures students and workers alike need. Meanwhile, the Ford Conservatives are still refusing to sign an agreement to ensure $10/a day childcare. Cases are steadily going up, with the latest…
