Ontario government’s erratic, ad hoc approach to the health workforce will mean a shortage of more than 50,000 nurses and personal support workers

COVID-19, Governmental, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – With health care job vacancies skyrocketing, new long-term care beds and a provincial government fond of “Band-Aid” health workforce approaches, Ontarians will see unprecedented health care staff shortages of more than 50,000 workers over the next few years. More than 59,000 new registered practical nurses (RPNs), personal support workers (PSWs) and registered…

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“Drop the charges and stop the racist violence”: CUPE Ontario’s statement in solidarity with Hamilton’s Black youth housing activists

Racial Justice, Solidarity

For about an hour during the afternoon of November 24 at Hamilton’s J.C. Beemer Park, police officers violently attacked allies of its unhoused residents who were encamped there. Two Black youth were punched in the face, another dragged through the grass; officers planted their knees on necks, and employed chokeholds. “Don’t let them say it…

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“No one will be singled out or scapegoated”: CUPE Ontario’s statement for the International Day for Disabled Persons

COVID-19, Governmental, Workers with Disabilities

On December 3, CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members mark the International Day for Disabled Persons with the recognition of the moment we’re in. With cases still ticking upwards in Ontario, and variants of concern rapidly spreading around the world, it’s more critical than ever that we acknowledge that it’s people with disabilities who are among the…

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“Because no one should go hungry,” Region of Peel workers (CUPE 966) give back to the community with support for fundraising breakfast

Health Care, Municipal, Solidarity

MISSISSAUGA, ON – The COVID-19 pandemic has created income instability and food insecurity for a growing number of Peel residents. With inflation at 4.9% in November, it is getting harder and harder for people in our community to buy grocieries and put food on the table for their families and themselves, says Salil Ayra, the…

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“Our union made history today”: Yolanda McClean elected CUPE Ontario’s next Secretary-Treasurer

Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – The Executive Board of Ontario’s largest union, CUPE Ontario, has elected a new Secretary-Treasurer, Yolanda McClean, to represent 280,000 members working in the public sector. “I am honoured to be elected Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario,” said McClean. “With the Ford Conservatives, I know the work ahead of us can look daunting, but…

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“Now the Ford Conservatives are sitting on $4.3 billion”: CUPE Ontario calls for more spending, not less

Governmental

TORONTO, ON – Yet again the Ford Conservatives are leaving billions of dollars on the table that could be spent to keep Ontarians safe and ensure the delivery of critical services, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “If it wasn’t obvious before the pandemic, it is now: spending saves lives,” said Fred Hahn, President of…

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