Unions call on province to create more full-time nursing jobs in long-term care

Candace Rennick, secretary-treasurer for CUPE Ontario, said better working conditions are needed — full-time jobs, benefits and sick leave — so people will stay in those jobs. “It’s a demoralizing workforce. Nobody wants to go in and work there. So people need jobs in this province, but we need a complete and total overhaul of the system,” said Rennick.…

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CUPE Ontario stands in solidarity with Black members at CUPE Local 4914 who are working together to fight anti-Black racism at work

Members of CUPE Local 4914 who work at Peel’s Children’s Aid Society (CAS) have been on the frontlines in their communities, keeping children and families safe. They are also on the frontlines in the fight to address anti-Black racism in our workplaces. On behalf of the 280,000 members of CUPE Ontario, we express our full…

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CUPE welcomes Ontario government’s move towards a legislated care standard – urges swift action on Bill 13

TORONTO, ON. – As the second wave of COVID-19 makes staffing a critical issue in long-term care homes, the Canadian Union of Public Employees is urging the Ontario legislature to pass Bill 13, the Time to Care Act. The proposed legislation passed second reading today but must go through a third and final reading before…

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In times of crisis, government must spend, not scrimp

Politicians often compare household and government budgets. For one, they tell us they’re both about balancing income against spending. But there’s an important difference between them. For a household in crisis, cutting spending and saving money is usually a key response. But for a government which represents many people and communities with different challenges, the…

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“Solidarity and Respect”: CUPE Ontario stands in Support of Alberta Health Care Workers

On Monday, October 26, thousands of health care workers, members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) went on a wildcat strike in Edmonton, Calgary, and other municipalities in the province. They were proudly joined in solidarity by workers from many other unions in that province, including members of CUPE Alberta from health care, social services, municipalities,…

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“Speaking up for freedom of speech and human rights everywhere”: CUPE Ontario’s Statement on Bill 168

The proposed legislation, Bill 168, introduced by conservative MPPs Robin Martin (Eglinton—Lawrence) and Will Bouma (Brantford—Brand) with the misleading title “Combating Anti-Semitism Act,” is an assault on the freedom of speech of Ontarians that must be defeated. Many concerns have been raised regarding Israel’s human rights record of offences against the Palestinian people, and it…

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“Abject failure to keep us safe – Spending saves lives”: CUPE Ontario says funding can slow the spread, amid record-setting 1,000+ cases

TORONTO, ON – With Ontario breaking two records this weekend, and logging more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario is calling on the Government of Ontario to commit to funding immediate and significant actions. The record-setting spike in cases follows budget consultations hosted by Ontario’s Ministry…

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Health care unions welcome Ontario Long-Term Care Commission’s recommendation to institute a four-hour care standard

TORONTO, ON – Ontario’s Long-Term COVID-19 Commission released an interim report today, calling on the government to implement a minimum daily care standard of four hours of hands-on care per resident. “We thank the commission for their work and for recognizing the need to institute a staffing standard,” said Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario’s Secretary-Treasurer. “Residents…

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