‘These workers are terrified’: Labour groups call for vaccine priority for education support staff

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

CUPE Ontario’s leaders made the case that on-site staff across the province who have continued to show up for work through school closures and periods of online learning are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 on the job and deserve vaccine priority. “We’re here today to shine a light on the front-line workers whose work…

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Frontline children’s aid workers in Windsor call for vaccine prioritization

Solidarity

Windsor, ON—Children’s aid society workers in Windsor, whose work requires daily in-person visits to multiple private homes, schools, and other congregated settings, call on Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Medical Officer of Health for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, to use his authority to authorize vaccine prioritization for frontline workers as has occurred in other regions of…

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Day of Pink – CUPE Ontario Statement

Human RIghts, Pink Triangle

Statement by CUPE Ontario’s Pink Triangle committee on the Day of Pink: Today is the Day of Pink – an international commemoration reminding us about the need for solidarity with LGBTQ2+ people. This year it’s a particularly important issue, as COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted equity-seeking seeking people, including the LGBTQ2+ community. For instance, recent research shows that…

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Bridlewood Trails workers join CUPE

Health Care, Solidarity

KANATA, ON – Workers at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Community in Kanata voted almost unanimously today to join The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). “The pandemic has been very challenging for workers in retirement and long-term care residences. Thanks to COVID, everyone knows care workers need to be treated better and given more respect,” said…

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Bleak day as first wave of terminations crashes over Laurentian University and Northern Ontario

University

As Laurentian University announced a first wave of massive terminations and program cuts today, CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn and leaders representing University workers today warned it will take years to repair the damage that will be inflicted across Northern Ontario. “Today’s announcement represents a bleak day for Northern Ontario,” said CUPE Ontario President Fred…

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Ford shoots back at claims Ontario should provide sick leave to those impacted by pandemic

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

Just as Ontario Premier Doug Ford was outlining the latest stay-at-home order from the Ontario government, CUPE Ontario (Canadian Union of Public Employees) said the announcement was a demonstration of Ontario’s “deep political failure” during the pandemic. In a hard-hitting news release, CUPE said any stay-at-home order must include some sort of legislated effort at paid…

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“Any successful stay-at-home order must include legislated paid sick days”: CUPE Ontario

COVID-19, Governmental, Racial Justice

TORONTO, ON – The stay-at-home order is yet another sign of the Conservative Government’s deep political failure during this pandemic, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “Every single expert makes it clear that the people contracting COVID-19 in this third wave are essential front-line workers and members of racialized communities,” said Fred…

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