“Our union made history today”: Yolanda McClean elected CUPE Ontario’s next Secretary-Treasurer

TORONTO, ON – The Executive Board of Ontario’s largest union, CUPE Ontario, has elected a new Secretary-Treasurer, Yolanda McClean, to represent 280,000 members working in the public sector. “I am honoured to be elected Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario,” said McClean. “With the Ford Conservatives, I know the work ahead of us can look daunting, but…

Ontario Representatives Elected to the CUPE National Executive Board

CUPE Ontario congratulates the four members elected to represent our region on CUPE National’s Executive Board during its Convention today. CUPE Ontario’s President Fred Hahn was re-elected as the General Vice-President for Ontario at the National Union. CUPE Ontario’s First Vice-President, and President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, Michael Hurley was re-elected Regional…

“Wealth Tax Now”: CUPE Ontario calls on Province to institute changes to tax system

TORONTO, ON – Ontario must immediately address growing income and wealth inequality by radically restructuring the tax system to tax wealth and high incomes, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during a press conference this morning. “CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members are saying that, in the face of growing income and wealth inequality,…

While the Ford government delays and distracts, child care advocates call for system overhaul; Ontario must make child care a right

TORONTO, ON – A recent announcement by the Ford government of targeted after-school recreation programs is a further distraction from the province’s failure to sign a child care deal, reports CUPE. Advocates urge Premier Ford to focus on making child care a right in the province by implementing $10-a-day child care and creating a workforce…

Surge in violence against staff “creates toxic work environment,” deepening Ontario’s hospital staffing crisis

TORONTO, ON – Increasing violence directed at hospital staff is among factors driving the worsening staffing shortage in Ontario’s health sector, say two unions representing nearly 70,000 hospital workers province-wide. According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and SEIU Healthcare, the gravity of the situation was underscored this week with the Ministry of…

“Everyone deserves the health care they need”: CUPE Ontario demands access to gender-affirming and transition-related procedures

TORONTO, ON – The new bill, the Gender Affirming Health Care Advisory Committee Act, is an essential piece of legislation that will save lives and ensure that make access to health care more equitable for all. And now that it’s passed second reading, it’s time to push it over the finish line, refuse to delay…

“The resilient flame of resistance shines on”: CUPE Ontario’s statement for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

It’s been said so many times it’s become cliché: the pandemic exposed the deep inequities running through our communities from the local to the global. But unlike other clichés, this well-worn phrase must be recognized as an important truth, deserving attention and urgent action. Nineteen months into this crisis, and after multiple waves of this…

Toronto Parking Authority workers initiate countdown to legal job action; employer yet to respond to union’s latest proposals

Toronto, ON—Toronto Parking Authority workers are at the bargaining table and have been since day one, waiting for the employer to immediately come back to the table and negotiate a deal to avoid a labour disruption. The employer has had ample time to respond to the union’s reasonable proposals and unnecessary delays are putting the…