University Health Network cannot continue to exploit women and racialized workers, say Toronto labour council, black trade unionists

TORONTO, ON – What seems like a deliberate workforce policy of exploiting racialized women as cheap labour by the University Health Network (UHN) is being roundly criticized by many Toronto/GTA labour and community groups advocating for economic justice for new immigrants. UHN is avoiding the direct employment of patient rehabilitation care staff at its Hillcrest…

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Advocates Call on Ford Government to Make Universal Child Care a Reality in Ontario

Following the recent announcement of a landmark deal between British Columbia and Nova Scotia and the Federal government, CUPE’s child care advocates call on Premier Ford to prioritize universal child care in Ontario. “Generations of women have been calling for universal, affordable, accessible, public and not-for-profit child care for decades—they’re the ones who’ve brought us…

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Statement from CUPE Ontario on the lifting of COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated staff, visitors and caregivers in LTC

In a sector ravaged by COVID-19 for more than a year,  today’s provincial announcement that fully immunized long-term care staff and visitors will no longer have to be tested before entering LTC homes, is good news and a sign that we are finally getting the edge on the virus. We want to thank the thousands…

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Queen's Park legislature with gardens in front

First third-party advertisers out of the gate; and coming up against the challenge of new campaign finance rules

And they’re off! It may be almost a year until the 2022 election, but thanks to the new campaign finance rules — for which the PCs invoked the notwithstanding clause for the first time in provincial history — there’s a new 12-month timeline and more onerous requirements for registration. So far, 11 third-party groups have…

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Education workers at York University challenge racism and stress pandemic safety with strike mandate

Toronto, ON — Education workers at York University have voted in favour of a strike mandate in response to the institution’s unwillingness to address racism and safety at the bargaining table. The education workers comprising contract faculty, teaching assistants and graduate assistants are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903. CUPE 3903…

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“A testament to the contributions of front-line workers, but there’s still more to do”: CUPE Ontario calls for more action to ensure safety in Step 3

TORONTO, ON – Entering Step 3 early is a testament to the contributions of front-line workers but the Ford Conservatives are still failing to ensure safety and a recovery for all, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “Front-line workers kept us as safe as possible during this pandemic, with members of CUPE…

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“Draw on the skill, expertise, and passion of front-line workers”: CUPE Ontario condemns Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee for excluding workers and their unions

TORONTO, ON – Ontario’s Ministry of Labour is leaving front-line workers out of the new Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee and it must immediately stop its work until it’s fully inclusive, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario in a written letter to Minister Monte McNaughton. “The committee is comprised solely of business owners,…

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Region of Waterloo public service workers file for “No-Board” as negotiations stall

REGION OF WATERLOO, ON – After more than a year of unproductive negotiations, about 1,200 Regional Municipality of Waterloo workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have filed for a No-Board, which will initiate a 17-day countdown to a strike or a lockout. The workers, represented by CUPE Locals 5191 and 1883,…

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