Hamilton/Niagara hospital workers first to tell Ontario government, hospital employers that a wage cut and attack on working conditions, not the thanks “pandemic heroes” can accept

Bill 124, COVID-19, Health Care, Solidarity

HAMILTON/NIAGARA, ON – Hamilton and Niagara hospital workers took a visible stand today, rallying outside area hospitals, frustrated with the “lack of respect” they are getting from both their hospital employers and the provincial government in contracts negotiations. Provincial bargaining for nearly 70,000 registered practical nurses, personal support workers, clerical, cleaning, maintenance, dietary and other…

Workers at Toronto Parking Authority vote to authorize strike action

Municipal, Social Services, Solidarity, Strike Support

TORONTO, ON – CUPE Local 416 members at Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action, if necessary, as both parties await the appointment of a conciliation offer to help resolve differences at the bargaining table. CUPE Local 416 applied for conciliation on July 9. A provincially appointed conciliation officer has…

“Our struggles are interwoven and they demand solidarity”: CUPE Ontario sends message of solidarity to 22,000 CUPE New Brunswick members

Bill 124, COVID-19, Governmental, Social Services, Solidarity

Today, we joined an important press conference to extend a message of solidarity to CUPE New Brunswick on behalf of CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members. Attended by about 200 local leaders, rank and file members, the President of CUPE New Brunswick, Stephen Drost, CUPE New Brunswick announced that the Premier of the province has yet to…

Education workers at York University challenge racism and stress pandemic safety with strike mandate

COVID-19, Solidarity, Strike Support, University, Young Workers

Toronto, ON — Education workers at York University have voted in favour of a strike mandate in response to the institution’s unwillingness to address racism and safety at the bargaining table. The education workers comprising contract faculty, teaching assistants and graduate assistants are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903. CUPE 3903…

“This must be a time of reflection not celebration”: Indigenous Council and CUPE Ontario to spend July 1 reflecting and recommitting to fighting ongoing colonialism

Aboriginal Council, Solidarity

“This year, Canada Day should be nothing more than a day of reflection. I will not celebrate the birth of a nation that destroyed our children.” The words of Sol Mamakwa, NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong and a member of Kingfisher First Nation, are ones people living in what we call Canada must hear and must contend with. He continues by asking:…

“No encampment clearings”: CUPE Ontario’s statement of solidarity with unhoused Trinity Bellwoods residents

COVID-19, Governmental, Municipal, Solidarity

CUPE Ontario condemns the City of Toronto’s decision to clear encampments at Trinity Bellwoods Park where unhoused Torontonians have been living. The use of over 100 police officers and dozens of private security would be a completely unjustified display of forced removal at any time. Toronto’s one of the most expensive cities in the world and far too many of our neighbours can’t afford…