Ontario’s University workers and students need more than ‘window dressing’ from Ford Government to get through COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19, Solidarity, University

TORONTO, ON – In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, workers and students at Ontario’s post-secondary institutions need more than ‘window dressing’ currently on offer from the Provincial Government, the Chair of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario University Workers’ Coordinating Committee (OUWCC) warned today. “Ontario’s Universities are by no means immune from…

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“We haven’t been treated the same”: CUPE airline workers call for immediate financial support and access to benefits

Airlines, COVID-19, Solidarity

(TORONTO, ON) Yesterday, on April 1, flight attendants and flight directors, members of the Toronto Base of Air Transat, CUPE Local 4047, made their final repatriation flights, bringing Canadians back to the country due to the pandemic. The 740 members in Toronto, who are being laid off on April 5, are currently voting on a…

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“We are exposed” CUPE health care members protest as government inaction starves hospitals and long-term care homes of N-95 masks

COVID-19, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – A new Ontario government policy that gives access to full COVID-19 protection – including N95 masks – to some health care workers while excluding others is “cruel and unfair”, say hospital and long-term care (LTC) workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). A one-day province-wide workplace action is planned…

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Health minister misinformed: 87 per cent of Ontario health care staff polled say not enough PPE on hand to keep them safe

COVID-19, Health and Safety, Health Care, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – On Saturday, after Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliot announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) it was readily available, 87 per cent of health care staff polled by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) reported that they do not have access to the PPE they need to deal with COVID-19 patients.…

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“Just because we work half the hours, does not mean we are half the worth!”: Laid off Whitby city workers hold creative action to call for equity and wages

COVID-19, Municipal

On Friday, March 13, the Town of Whitby laid off 210 part-time staff, members of CUPE Local 53. Unlike neighbouring municipalities, like Pickering, Clarington, Uxbridge, and Ajax, where city workers were paid for between two and three weeks when layoffs were still considered temporary, Whitby’s part-time workers were left with no compensation. “If the town provided the three-weeks worth of wages, it would give us the opportunity to…

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COVID-19 infections among Ontario health care workers spike Release more N95 masks, other protections before it’s too late to curb spread

COVID-19, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – The fight against the spread of COVID-19 hinges on Ontario hospital and long-term care, home care workers and paramedics not contracting the virus in large numbers, so that they can care for the sick across the province.  But already dozens of health care staff have COVID-19. This includes one who is very ill…

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Province spends billions but leaves most Ontarians behind: CUPE Ontario

COVID-19, Governmental

(TORONTO, ON) CUPE Ontario, the province’s largest union, says the Conservative government’s economic update today missed an opportunity to provide immediate and direct financial support for thousands hurting due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to adequately increase health care funding. “People are worried about rent and mortgages, about putting food on the table, and about…

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“Workers must be paid!”: CUPE Ontario calls for immediate measures to support struggling workers

COVID-19, Solidarity

(TORONTO, ON) CUPE Ontario, the province’s largest union, has announced proposals to help Ontarians who are financially impacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With reports of wide-spread layoffs and income loss, the union has called on the Ontario government to include significant measures in the economic and fiscal update that’s scheduled for Wednesday. The union…

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