“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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Ontario government is not doing enough to protect them or the people they care for, say 70 per cent of hospital staff polled

Health Care

TORONTO — More than 2400 hospital staff took part Saturday in an urgent Ontario-wide conference call sponsored by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) focused on the impact of COVID-19 on them as they care for the sick. Throughout the information-based call, several key questions were posed to the hospital workers. When asked if…

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World Water Day 2020

Aboriginal Council

Access to safe drinking water is a right many of us take for granted. But contaminated water and a lack of adequate sanitation in Ontario’s First Nations communities jeopardize the health and well-being of thousands of indigenous people. 62 First Nations communities across the province are currently on boil water or do not consume advisories. CUPE…

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