Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrates the life and work of one of the most well-known leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States, whose work has resonance and importance around the world. This year on January 15, CUPE Ontario commemorates the timeless social justice values we gained from King’s example, including compassion…
Details
The CUPE family has faced some tragic losses over the past few weeks. Five of our members have died in tragic accidents that took them from us far, far too soon. All of CUPE Ontario mourns the heart-breaking loss of: James Baragar, a 39-year-old helicopter pilot from Orillia and member of CUPE 1000 Janelle MacPherson,…
DetailsHamilton, Ont. – CUPE 5167, representing workers in the Hamilton region, is issuing the following statement in response to reports of a local Tim Hortons franchise in Dundas rolling back worker’s benefits and paid breaks, following the introduction of the province’s new minimum wage laws. “As one of Hamilton’s largest unions, representing 4,300 workers in…
Details
TORONTO, ON – The revelation that the public sector pension plan, OMERS has been using tax havens to avoid their tax obligation has come as a shock to CUPE Ontario that represents the largest group of the pension plans membership. Tax avoidance is no way to fund a pension plan, says Fred Hahn, the union’s…
DetailsKINGSTON, ON – Members of CUPE Locals 109 (Marine Services) and 2290 (Fairmont Homes) will rally outside Frontenac County Council meeting on Wednesday morning. Members of both locals have been in bargaining with the County for some time, and they are gathering before the Council meeting to chat with councillors and members of the public…
Details
TORONTO, ON – Publicly, St. Michael’s Hospital (St. Mike’s) says it values and respects its staff. But inside the hospital, that’s not what’s happening. Long-time staff are being fired without cause or being offered employment at another area of the hospital. A 20-year chaplain and four clerical staff were recently terminated. There is pressure on…
Details
December 14, 2017, marks Parkdale High Park NDP MPP Cheri Di Novo’s last day in the Ontario Legislature. The activist MPP is set to resign her seat and return to her first calling as a United Church Minister. Cheri has been a good friend to CUPE Ontario members and leaves gigantic shoes to fill.…
Details
The following delegates from the Racial Justice and Human Rights Conference 2017 were elected to the respective committees for a two year term: Aboriginal Council Dawn Bellerose, Local 1880 Larry Giffin, Local 3798 Miaco Kuzyk-Hildebrand, Local 4207 Racial Justice Yetti Atilola, Local 1750 Joy Davis, Local 4400 Michael Gordon, Local 1483 Rebecca Jegeshar, Local 79…
Details
TORONTO, ON – In an uncommon show of opposition to changes to paramedic pre-hospital medical care, dozens of paramedics from several communities are protesting at the Ontario Legislature tomorrow (Tuesday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m.) amendments to the Ambulance Act they believe will hurt patients needing emergency medical care. The government plans third and…
Details
Public-private partnerships (P3s) are once again drawing the criticism of Ontario’s auditor general, in her 2017 annual report. In 2014, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s wide-ranging report exposed major problems with Infrastructure Ontario’s entire P3 privatization program, known in the province as Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP). Her 2016 and 2017 reports continue to highlight…
Details