Month: May 2022

Time to make the Ontario election a referendum on private health care

More than 1400 seniors died from COVID-19 than would have if Ontario had a fully public long-term care system, according to a new report released today. That is a key lesson for voters in the June 2 election, since the Doug Ford PC’s have said they will deal with the post-pandemic surgical backlog by expanding …

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“We are approaching a major crisis of care” Kenora District paramedics warn

CUPE 5911 paramedics serving the District of Kenora are advocating for investments from the provincial and municipal governments to improve ambulance coverage for patients calling 911 and working conditions for paramedics. In addition to more direct funding for the paramedic service, the union is also calling for investments in community health as part of a solution to …

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CUPE calls for immediate and unconditional release of Iranian labour activists

Teachers demanding the release of teacher trade unionists arrested since May Day 2022. CUPE is deeply concerned about recent arrests targeting labour activists, teachers, civil rights defenders and artists in Iran. On May 1, International Workers’ Day, Iranian authorities cracked down on peaceful trade union demonstrations over poor wages, high inflation, corruption, looting of public assets, …

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National Nursing Week

National Nursing Week is an opportunity to recognize the incredible work and dedication of nursing team members across Canada, including the tens of thousands of nurses represented by CUPE. We also take the opportunity to thank and acknowledge all front-line health care workers. As we enter our 3rd year of a pandemic, we celebrate the …

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Unions launch campaign calling on Canadian government to secure immediate return of wrongfully imprisoned Canadians in the Dominican Republic

The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), CUPE, and Unifor are launching a public campaign calling on the Government of Canada to secure the safe return of five Canadians who have been arbitrarily imprisoned in the Dominican Republic after reporting a crime they were not involved in. For more than 40 days, a Canadian aircrew – …

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Chronic staff shortage in RCMP 911 & Dispatch Centers is putting Canadians’ safety at risk

“As first responders, our RCMP telecom operators are the public’s first point of contact in an emergency. They make sure RCMP officers and other emergency services can intervene rapidly when Canadians need help. At least, this is the theory,” said Kathleen Hippern, president of CUPE 104. “The daily reality is much more frightening. Chronic short staffing …

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Negotiations for 70,000 Ontario hospital workers derail over wage cut, lack of protections

Hospital staff are angered and stunned by how the Ontario government and the hospital employers are treating them following two years of pandemic sacrifice as provincial bargaining broke down May 14, says the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) the hospital division of the CUPE in Ontario. “They are very demoralized and upset by the utter …

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CUPE Manitoba speaks against government interference in collective bargaining

CUPE Manitoba President Gina McKay presented to the Standing Committee on Justice hearing on Bill 2:  The Public Services Sustainability Repeal Act. The Manitoba government’s introduction of Bill 28:  The Public Services Sustainability Act in 2017, threw labour relations into chaos, and was cited as “unconstitutional” by the court of Queen’s Bench after CUPE and …

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CUPE childcare worker’s story highlights the need for universal wage enhancement

Rosanna is a childcare worker in Vancouver and a member of CUPE Local 1936. She works as part of a team providing before- and after-school care for a non-profit childcare provider, and feels honoured to be a part of inspiring children to discover themselves. Helping children build their inner strength, courage, and confidence through play-based learning …

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