Bringing hospital, long-term care staff sick with COVID-19 back to work early, dangerous way to deal with staffing crisis say CUPE and SEIU

COVID-19, Governmental, Health Care

Two of Ontario’s largest health care unions are asking the provincial government to rescind a new pandemic guidance order they believe creates an unacceptable level of risk for hospital patients, long-term care residents and health care staff by enabling hospitals and long-term care employers to order potentially sick or still infectious health care workers with…

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Paramedics call on Niagara EMS service to address staffing crisis as Code Zeroes increase during Omicron wave

COVID-19, Paramedics

TORONTO, ON – The staffing crisis in Niagara’s Emergency Medical Services has worsened during the ongoing Omicron wave and requires immediate attention as critical ambulance shortages grow, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 911. Niagara EMS service is witnessing frequent Code Zeros, occasions when there are no ambulances available to respond to 911…

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“It’s long past time for historic investments”: CUPE Ontario calls for an unprecedented budget

Governmental, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – It’s time for the Ford Conservatives to commit to historic investments in public services with its last budget before the provincial election, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during consultations. “There is only one way forward, and that is for Ontario to commit to major and historic investments in…

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Central Ontario sees spending cuts of $4.7-billion, public sector workers lose $626-million: CUPE Ontario

COVID-19, Governmental, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – It’s time for the Ford Conservatives to commit to historic investments in public services with its last budget before the provincial election, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during consultations. “There is only one way forward, and that is for Ontario to commit to major and historic investments in…

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Paramedics call for standardized mental health benefits as working conditions deteriorate through the pandemic

COVID-19, Governmental, Health and Safety, Paramedics

TORONTO, ON – The union representing most Ontario paramedics is calling on the provincial government to address mental health of emergency medical services staff amidst gruelling working conditions through the pandemic. “Paramedics and dispatchers have struggled with heavy workloads for years. But the sharp increase in call volumes and lengthier offload delays at hospitals during…

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Image shows a healthcare worker's head and neck. Their eyes are closed, they're wearing a medical mask, and they're wearing scrubs.

Front-line unions reiterate safety demands as Ontario set to reopen

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn said Ontario was last among provinces in per-capita health-care funding before the pandemic, which has exacerbated longstanding issues. He also took issue with the government’s use of the word “absenteeism” when discussing health-care and education worker shortages. “Workers aren’t absent. They’re sick,” he said. “It’s the Ford Conservatives who are absent.” Click…

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Image shows healtchare worker sitting on the floor of a narrow hallway with white and neon yellow paint, looking exhausted, and gazing up towards the middle of the doorfram they're reclining against.

Ontario workers are demanding at least 10 paid sick days from employers

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

In the wake of the Omicron crisis, the Ford government needs to provide workers with 10 employer-paid sick days in Ontario, according to a group of more than 30 labour organizations. In April, the province implemented the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Benefit, which required employers to give their staff three paid sick days for infectious…

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What is the government’s plan for schools without education workers during COVID?

COVID-19, Education, Governmental, Health and Safety, School Boards, Social Services

TORONTO, ON – Education workers are demanding that the Ford government come up with a plan that ensures custodians, education assistants (EAs), school secretaries and others are able to stay on the job once schools reopen next week, says the union that represents 55,000 education workers in Ontario. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)…

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