COUNTY OF SIMCOE, ON – After rejecting their employer’s most recent offer, maintenance, information technology and other ‘inside’ workers for the County of Simcoe, members of Unit 01 of Local 5280 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 5280-01) have voted in favour of strike action, if necessary.

Last month, members rejected a settlement offer that included major changes to shift scheduling.

“We believe the framework for a settlement exists, but our membership has been very clear that the proposed changes to their hours of work are not acceptable,” said CUPE National Representative Mike Walters.

In April, the union presented members with a proposed memorandum of settlement, which they subsequently rejected. Last month, workers provided their bargaining committee with their mandate.

Negotiators for the union and the employer are expected to resume bargaining in July, assisted by a provincially-appointed conciliation officer.

Walters urged the County of Simcoe to use the time between now and then wisely, and “come prepared to negotiate in a spirit of mutual respect. This is a matter of critical importance to our membership that both parties need to address.”

For more information, please contact:

Mike Walters, CUPE National Representative, 705-331-0512

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

The tentative agreement was reached early this morning, following nearly 24 hours of continuous bargaining between the parties, assisted by a provincially-appointed mediator.

Members of CUPE 1600 went on strike on May 11 to defend contract language that assures quality care for the 5,000 animals that call the Zoo home, while enabling the Zoo to continue fulfilling its role as a world-leading research, conservation and educational facility.

Details of the tentative agreement will not be released by the union until members have had an opportunity to review and vote on it.

Accordingly, the union will be making no further comment until a membership meeting and ratification vote have taken place. A special meeting and ratification vote are expected to be held over the weekend.

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades people, administrative and public relations staff, and concession and ride operators at Canada’s largest zoo.

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

Far from the investment in health care alluded to pre-budget by the Liberals, overall health care funding will decline as a percentage of total program spending by the province in 2017. Total program spending is budgeted to increase 4.9 per cent while health care funding is budgeted to increase just 2.9 per cent.  Program spending excluding health care is budgeted to increase from $71.3 billion to $75.7 billion – a 6.2 per cent increase.  Health care falls a full 3.2 per cent behind the overall program spending increase of other ministries. Funding cuts have equalled 30 per cent over 8 years while population has grown and aged.

“It’s not true that this government has heard the call for better hospital and long-term care funding. At this current level of funding hospitals will continue to be overcrowded. There still won’t be enough staff to meet the needs of increasingly sicker patients and long-term care residents will be denied a 4-hour care standard that would make such a difference in their lives,” said OCHU’s secretary-treasurer Sharon Richer a former Sudbury hospital worker.

Before the April budget, OCHU/CUPE and others including the Ontario Hospital Association called for about 5 per cent funding increase for hospitals.  But the budget didn’t deliver what hospitals and long-term care homes need just to meet inflationary costs, never mind a growing and ageing population, said Hurley. “The province is several hundreds of millions short and we are encouraging both opposition parties to push for that needed funding for hospitals and long-term care homes in their communities.”

Ontario’s PC party has not made its plans for health funding public. Their focus is on eliminating Ontario’s $390 billion deficit. “Keeping that in mind, we can anticipate that the Tories hospital funding cuts would be much deeper than the Liberals,” said Hurley.

While the NDP would fund marginally more than the Liberals, they would still cut budgets in real terms.

“Our rally is calling for all three parties to come to their senses on hospital funding and to stop the cuts,” said Hurley. Patients are suffering from lack of care. Others are dying alone in long-term care without a nurse or a personal support worker there with them because there just isn’t enough staff. This is what should be on the conscience of these three political parties and why they must all do better when it comes to health funding,” said Hurley.

The Sudbury rally is the fourth in a series of similar events that have already been held in Kingston, Hamilton and Kenora.

For more information please contact:

Michael Hurley                     President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE)                  416-884-0770

Stella Yeadon                      Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Communications                416-559-9300

A month-long strike at Canada's largest zoo is one step closer to ending today after members of Local 1600 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 1600) voted to ratify a four-year collective agreement.

"While we are looking forward to returning to work and to looking after the animals we so deeply care about, our employer should be under no illusions that this was an easy decision for us to collectively take. This was a month of struggle, for the right reasons, and I am incredibly proud of what our members have achieved," said Christine McKenzie, President of CUPE 1600.

"Our members understood that their bargaining committee negotiated the best possible agreement on their behalf. The strike may be over, but our commitment to advocating for good jobs and the animals we care for will never end," she added.

Members began strike action on May 11 to protect good jobs, quality animal care and the world-leading research, education and conservation efforts that make the Toronto Zoo a 21st-century zoological facility.

McKenzie said the union "fully intends to hold the Zoo to their commitments and to hold them to account if they fail to live up to their promises."

Following today's ratification vote, the tentative agreement awaits ratification by the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, which is expected to take place Monday. Once ratified by both parties, the Zoo is expected to reopen this week.

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades people, administrative and public relations staff, concession and ride operators at Canada's largest zoo.

 
Claiming the courts should not have jurisdiction in the case and suggesting that the plaintiffs in the case have not been hurt anymore than the rest of the people in Ontario, the government lawyers called on the judge to dismiss the misfeasance suit brought by CUPE and CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn, over the sale of shares in Hydro One.

 
“Their lawyers have thrown every argument, including the kitchen sink, at the court today to try and stop our lawsuit from going ahead because, I suspect, the Premier and Ministers are very worried about the details that will come out if the case is allowed to go forward,” said Fred Hahn, outside the Toronto courthouse.

 
“They’re arguments seem to have purposely mischaracterized the nature of our claim by suggesting the courts don’t have jurisdiction over a political decision, when what’s at stake here is a misuse of power,” Hahn continued.

“If the Liberal Party of Ontario and their supporters, directly benefited from their decision to sell shares in Hydro One, when they knew it would hurt the people of Ontario, that is wrong and they must be held accountable by the courts.”

 
Prior to the sale of shares, expert opinion made it clear to the Premier and her Ministers that the sell-off of Hydro One shares would be bad for the province, including the government’s own financial accountability officer, Stephen LeClair who has warned:

 
“In the years following the sale of 60 per cent of Hydro One, the province’s budget balance would be worse than it would have been without the sale…The province’s net debt would initially be reduced, but will eventually be higher than it would have been without the sale.”

 
Immediately after the first sale of shares went through, those who made tens of millions off the sale, held fundraisers for the Liberal Party of Ontario, one of which was explicitly billed as a celebration of the sale.

 
Lawyers representing CUPE in the misfeasance suit methodically countered the governments arguments and demonstrated the merits of the case and why it should be allowed to go forward.

 
“I trust our court system and I am hopeful that the judge will rule against the government’s motion to dismiss,” said Hahn.

“Privatizing our hydro system was wrong. The fact that the government pushed ahead with selling off majority control before this case could come to trial, seems to reinforce the notion that they’re more interested in creating benefit for themselves and their high-powered friends instead of the people of Ontario.”

 
The judge has recessed the court to deliberate before rendering his decision.

For more information, contact: Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638 www.cupe.on.ca

“We are pleased to finally have reached agreement on monetary recognition that the Ontario government violated our basic Charter rights,” said Terri Preston, chair of the union’s education sector coordinating committee, who led the remedy talks alongside CUPE’s Jim Morrison. “Bill 115 should never have been introduced in the first place. Justice Lederer’s decision gave us the ability to negotiate redress for our members.”

The negotiated deal will provide for $56.7 million, to be paid out over an agreed amount of time, if CUPE education workers ratify it. Ratification votes will be held across the province by the end of June.

The exact number to be paid to each CUPE member will depend on the final number of claimants. Claimants who were employed for both affected school years (2012-13 and 2013-14) will receive a full share of the award, and those who were employed during only one affected school year will receive a half-share of the award.  The award could affect over 60,000 CUPE members who were employed in the education sector during the years covered by Bill 115.

“CUPE’s interest in this was clear from the start,” said Mark Hancock, CUPE National President.  “Even before the Bill 115 case was heard, CUPE took the lead in pushing the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour case forward. In that case, the Supreme Court of Canada found the Saskatchewan government had gone too far in its attempt to ban strikes. In the Bill 115 case, we argued – and Justice Lederer agreed – that in giving the Ontario government the ability to prohibit strikes, the Bill violated the Charter. Taken together, these cases are building a strong body of jurisprudence in Canada that confirms workers’ Charter right to freedom of association.  Now, with this remedy settlement, we can clearly say to governments, if you violate workers’ rights, it will cost you. CUPE is proud to be on the frontline of these efforts.”

The Bill 115 court challenge was filed in 2013 after Bill 115 stripped Ontario education workers of their right to bargain collectively. In CUPE’s case, in addition to banning strikes, the Bill lumped CUPE members’ interests in with those of teachers, even though the union could only bargain on behalf of its members. The challenge was postponed in 2014 and then resumed in December 2015.

“The court validated our position that Bill 115 was a gross overreach that trampled basic freedom-of-association rights,” said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario.  “Justice Lederer wrote that the impact of Bill 115 was ‘not just on the economic circumstances of education workers but on their associational rights and dignity, autonomy and equality that comes with the exercise of that fundamental freedom.’ The ruling and this remedy settlement combined send such a clear message to governments: do not interfere in free collective bargaining. Do not mess with workers’ rights.”

The parties to the challenge, alongside CUPE, were the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). UNIFOR also had intervenor status.

CUPE asks any members who were employed in the education sector between 2012 and 2014 to be in touch with their local union for details of the deal and eligibility for remedy payment.

CUPE represents roughly 60, 000 education workers in Ontario, including custodians, administrative and clerical staff, educational assistants, instructors, tradespeople, early childhood educators, and many more, across all four school board systems (English and French, Catholic and public).

For more information:

Mary Unan, CUPE National Communications, (647) 390-9839

Jim Morrison, CUPE School Board Sector Coordinator, (905) 243-1483

“We have an opportunity to conclude these negotiations successfully, but the deadline the town has created means we have to get serious about finishing the job,” said CUPE 2380 President Jacob Reid.

“Outstanding issues remain. Both parties need to deal with them in the next two days,” he added.

The 13 members of CUPE 2380, Unit 05-02, perform a variety of tasks which greatly enhance the quality of life in the community, including arena and museum workers, the town’s Bylaw Enforcement Officer and Tourism and Events Coordinator, as well as the Town Hall and Public Works clerical staff, are negotiating their first contract.

Late last month, the Town of Penetanguishene requested a ‘No Board’ report from the Provincial Ministry of Labour, which triggers a 17-day countdown to a potential labour disruption. Negotiators for the union and the town will continue to meet, assisted by a provincially-appointed conciliation officer, up until the deadline of 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 17.

Members of CUPE 2380.05-02 held a strike vote earlier this week, giving their bargaining committee a mandate to take whatever action they deem necessary to negotiate a fair settlement, up to and including strike action.

Assisted by the larger local union and CUPE National staff, members have set up a strike committee and are preparing for all contingencies.

“Our members don’t want to be locked out. They don’t want to go on strike. They want to continue providing these vital community services, but we are ready to strike if we have to. Our employer needs to use our time at the bargaining table wisely,” said Reid.

For more information, please contact:

Jacob Reid, CUPE 2380 President, 705-481-0185

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

PRIDE is about standing strong in the face of adversity. It’s about facing ignorance and hate head on, and giving others the courage to do the same.

In Ontario, PRIDE is a joyful celebration of LGBTQ culture, but make no mistake – PRIDE is political, and it is critical that we never become complacent. This year CUPE Ontario members will participate in more than 30 PRIDE events in communities all across the province.

PRIDE was born out of police persecution of the gay community. It’s not so long ago that gay bashing was a regular occurrence, yet it was the LGBTQ community that was criminalized while the attackers went virtually unpunished. In 1981, Toronto police targeted the gay community by raiding bathhouses, arresting everyone and outing many whose lives were irreparably damaged.

A group of bold and brave people chose to put their own safety at risk and stand strong in the face of hate and discrimination. They gave others the courage they needed to rise up. Friends and allies stood with them. Toronto’s small but mighty PRIDE was born as it continues to do in communities all across Ontario.

We’ve come a long way since then but there are still many within the LGBTQ community who still face discrimination, hate, harassment and violence because of the colour of their skin or how they choose to dress or the fact that who they are doesn’t fit with the body parts they were born with.

Toronto Pride is now famous world-wide as a safe space where one can be open about one’s sexuality and gender identity. It’s a time to be loved without judgement, but this is sadly not true for everyone. Our province’s LGBTQ communities are as diverse as the world itself, and people have vastly different lived experiences that need to be recognized and understood.

Though we have made many gains over the last twenty years, we are now living through a resurgence of hate and discrimination that is being stoked by some of our province’s politicians. None of us can afford to stay silent. It’s more important than ever that we be bold and brave and stand together against discrimination and hate in all its forms.

Report after report has shown that federal and provincial governments are failing to provide the basic public services and social supports First Nations communities need. Aboriginal families face food insecurity, housing shortages, high unemployment, barriers to education, and unsafe drinking water.

Substandard living conditions and the legacy of colonization have led to a suicide epidemic in Aboriginal communities that is utterly unacceptable.  Indigenous women and girls endure disproportionately high levels of violence, an issue which our justice system and which the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have so far failed to address.

As a public sector union, CUPE Ontario pledges to fight for justice, inclusion, self-determination, and equal access to quality public services and infrastructure for Aboriginal peoples. These principles underpin our commitment to realizing our role in fulfilling the promise of reconciliation.

We are profoundly concerned by the pace of progress of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and call on the Trudeau government to take immediate steps to get the inquiry back on track and fulfill its mandate in a timely manner.

We take this opportunity to reiterate our disavowal of the so-called ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ and call on the Trudeau government to also repudiate it and fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

We are pleased to note the passage of a resolution at our June, 2017 Convention calling on CUPE National to lobby the Parliament of Canada to recognize National Aboriginal Day as a public holiday. We will continue to work with our members to raise awareness of our common responsibility to work together to achieve truth and reconciliation.

The blood drive will take place on June 28, 29 and 30 at the Windsor Blood Donor Clinic at 3909 Grand Marais Road East in Windsor.

Kati and Lori will appear in person on Friday, June 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Kati Wightman, 21, is battling lymphoma and requires transfusions for her fight.

"Kati has had at least eight transfusions in the last three months, always with very little notice. That makes us very aware of the constant, immediate need for blood products," Lori said. "The fact that my CUPE union family is offering to do this in Kati's name is both humbling and heartwarming, leaving us very grateful and appreciative of the support we've received and continue to receive during Kati's treatment."

Blood Drive Dates:

Wednesday, June 28 - 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 29 - 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 30 - 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

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For more information, please contact:

Suanne Hawkins, CUPE National Representative, 226-347-0242
Matthew Stella, CUPE Communication, 613-252-4377

If you have not already done so, please register to make an oral presentation when this committee meets in your community, or in a community near you.

Contact the clerk for the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Eric Rennie today to register to speak on Bill 148.

Eric Rennie - Tel: 416-325-3506 or Email: erennie@ola.org

Below is the confirmed schedule of where and on what dates the committee will meet. Please note that locations have yet to be determined, but the dates and cities have been confirmed.

Labour must have a strong voice and presence at these consultations.

Please mobilize your members and activists to present at these hearings. The committee will benefit from hearing how this legislation will impact working people across the province. Once you and your members have received confirmation of your appearance, please advise Melisa Bayon, the OFL's Director of Political Action and Outreach at mbayon@ofl.ca, and we will communicate some key messages and the OFL's list of suggested amendments.

Download the OFL Letter

Honouring his lifetime commitment to building a world where all members of the LGBTQ community have equal rights under the law and within their workplaces, Fred Hahn will be presented with the first of the new annual award, as part of a launch to PRIDE weekend Toronto.

"Fred started out as an openly gay, rank and file member of the labour movement who understood that equality rights are workers' rights," says Candace Rennick, his nominator and Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario. "He is someone who has always understood the diversity within the LGBTQ community and fought for acceptance and understanding of everyone."

"Fred has never forgotten his small-town roots," says OFL Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates, one of the people involved in the selection committee. "He is someone who understands that for some, PRIDE events can literally be lifesavers. His work, supporting the expansion of PRIDE events around the province has made a real difference in people's lives."

What: Award for lifetime commitment to LGBTQ rights

Who: Fred Hahn, CUPE Ontario President

When: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: 31 Wellesley St. E, Toronto, ON

Media availability: after the ceremony as well as at the Trans March today at 7:00 p.m. and at Sunday's PRIDE parade.

CUPE is Ontario's community union, with more than 260,000 members providing quality public services we all rely on, in every part of the province, every day. CUPE Ontario members are proud to work in social services, health care, municipalities, school boards, universities and airlines.

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For more information, contact:

Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638

We need each other. This is why OMECC is organizing area meetings through your Area Representative in the coming months.

Contact your Area Representative to participate.
The contact information for your Area Representative is below. If you are not sure which Area Representative you fall under, please contact OMECC Chair Ann Jenkins at (905) 818-8072 or email: jenkins@cupe5167.org and she will connect you directly with your Area Representative.

You will note that the Area 4 Representative is currently vacant. If you are interested in becoming involved in OMECC and wish to be the Area 4 Representative, please contact me.

Having every municipal local represented in their area’s meeting is crucial. We are counting on you to attend or send a delegate from your local.

Download the full invitation letter

"These families and workers never gave up," said Hahn. "They knew how valuable their local schools were to their communities and they refused to let the government take them away. They are an inspiration in what can happen when you come together and refuse to take no for an answer."

"Closing local schools is not just bad for the students," said Terri Preston, coordinator of CUPE Ontario's School Board Bargaining Committee. "Local schools are at the heart of most communities. They're the place where people gather to play sports, hold community meetings and engage meaningfully with each other. Today's announcement is good news."

The Ontario Liberal government has taken a lot of heat over the past several years for ignoring the needs and voices of local communities by steam rolling ahead with school closures that have left huge holes in some rural communities.

"Given the government has now seen their mistake, we hope they will reconsider the closures that they have already announced," said Preston. "There are communities that are really struggling with the loss of their school - this still needs to be addressed."

"We're pleased the government has finally come to its senses and put in place a moratorium on school closures," said Hahn. "We just hope that it continues past the next election."

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For more information, contact:
Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638

Kati Wightman, 21, is battling lymphoma and requires transfusions for her fight. She is the daughter of CUPE 2974 spokesperson Lori Wightman.

What:     Kati and Lori Wightman attending blood drive

Where:    Windsor Blood Donor Clinic, 3909 Grand Marais Road East, Windsor

When:    Friday, June 30, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

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For more information, please contact:

Suanne Hawkins, CUPE National Representative, 226-347-0242
Matthew Stella, CUPE Communications, 613-252-4377

Mathias Memmel, the new president of the UTSU, is terminating Vita and Maria and refusing to fill the UTSU’s Financial Coordinator position which is currently vacant. Memmel’s decision was met with surprise and anger from University of Toronto (U of T) students who have expressed concerns about staff cuts impacting services. Students have joined with Vita and Maria’s union in the Save our Services, Support our Staff campaign to call on the UTSU to reverse the cuts.

“There are thousands of students who rely on Vita and Maria’s work every day,” said Amanda Harvey-Sanchez, a concerned student and member of the UTSU board of directors. “We’re left wondering, what about us? How will our health and dental plan and our clubs and service group programs continue effectively without staff to do the work?”

“It is irresponsible that the UTSU has been operating for over a year without a Financial Coordinator,” said Jose Wilson, a member of the UTSU Board who represents students at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. “We understand Mathias is being advised by a consulting firm, Kokobi, without an established reputation whose credibility has been questioned in the past. Mathias has not made the case these layoffs are necessary.”

Local 1281 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents the UTSU staff, has filed grievances against the UTSU alleging their actions are in bad faith and violate the collective agreement. The grievances could result in the reinstatement of all three positions, as well as back-pay and any damages an arbitrator deems appropriate.

“We were interested in working with the UTSU to find solutions to any issues,” said Orion Keresztesi, president of CUPE 1281. “But the employer cut that conversation short after a single meeting. Vita and Maria have worked at the UTSU for a combined 14 years providing valuable services to U of T students. They are experienced professionals who deserve respect.”

Michelle Mabira, a U of T Rotman Commerce student, said, “The UTSU should be mobilizing our resources for collective action on student issues. Most students’ unions know that staff and quality services are crucial to doing that. But Mathias doesn’t get it. His vision is to charge us all the same membership fee, but deliver us less. Students that voted for him expect better.”

CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn has offered his strongest support to the UTSU staff, “Our 260,000 members are here to support Vita and Maria. When job security and respect at work is attacked anywhere, it effects workers everywhere.”

The Save our Services, Support our Staff campaign has started a petition and is collecting signatures and endorsements throughout the summer at https://www.change.org/p/utsu-don-t-fire-vita-maria.

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For more information, please contact:

Orion Keresztesi, CUPE 1281 President, (647) 909-5627

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, (416) 821-6641

Concerned that the misinformation being reported on the effects of increasing the minimum wage is overshadowing other critical pieces of the legislation, Hahn will speak to how the Bill can be improved to truly help improve the life of workers and stimulate local economies.

“We have a huge financial imbalance in our province that continues to leave workers behind and it has a significant impact on our ability to support the local economy,” says Hahn. “If we’re going to thrive, we must make sure we have a balanced economy that works for everyone and, with some amendments, Bill 148 has the potential to move us in that direction.”

Hahn will be presenting at the hearings at 11:00 a.m.

WHAT:     Provincial hearings on Bill 148

WHEN:     Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:  Ontario Ballroom, Holiday Inn, 30 Fairway Road South, Kitchener

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For more information, please contact:

Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416.578.5638

“Anti-union policies brought in by the Conservatives in the late 1990’s have led to a drop in union density that all workers have suffered from. The corresponding growth in part-time, temporary and precarious work has left so many people struggling to survive. The government needs to address this disparity,” said Hahn. “We only need to look at the U.S. to see what can happen if this imbalance goes unchecked.”

Hahn was speaking at today’s committee hearing into Bill 148, government legislation introduced in the spring that proposes significant changes to both the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Standards Act.

“If our province is going to thrive, we must make sure we have a balanced economy that works for everyone and with some amendments, Bill 148 has the potential to move us in that direction,” said Hahn. “The most important fix being that the proposed changes must apply to all workers equally as opposed to only targeting particular groups of workers.”

CUPE Ontario will be submitting a full written brief outlining 13 focused amendments that would bring meaningful and lasting improvements to Ontario workers including: removal of the exemptions for equal pay for part-timers; removal of exemption of any class of worker from the Labour Relations Act; ensuring no employer can contract below the Employment Standards Act; first contract arbitration for new unions; putting an end to replacement workers; and improved protections for workers who want to organize a union in their workplace. His presentation focused on two issues – card check certification and improved sick time.

“There are many changes in this Bill that require time before they kick in or are at the mercy of things such as subjective, merit-based criteria. Without access to a union, workers will still find themselves victims to employers who exploit these loop holes,” said Hahn. “Card check is the simplest and fairest way for workers to join a union if they want to. It eliminates the ability of employers to use intimidation tactics to kill an organizing drive. The federal government just implemented it for all federally regulated workers. Building trades have it and Bill 148 will give it to three other sectors. If it’s good enough for them it should be applied fairly to all workers.”

“All workers deserve paid sick days and this is recognized in Bill 148. However, the two days set out in the bill just isn’t enough,” said Hahn. “Workers without paid sick time are usually the people who can least afford to lose a day’s pay. Working sick is not good for them and it’s not good for the rest of us.”

CUPE Ontario is proposing the sick time provision in Bill 148 be amended to allow workers to accumulate paid sick leave at the rate of one hour for every 35 hours worked. This would give approximately 7 paid sick days to someone who worked 35 hours per week for 50 weeks of the year.

“People in Ontario are falling behind and they need help,” said Hahn. “I implore you to do what’s right and fix Bill 148 so that it truly meets the needs of our province.”

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For more information, please contact:
Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638, www.cupe.on.ca

“If you needed proof that privatizing Hydro One is bad for the people of Ontario, this is it,” said Hahn. “Under public control the company’s mandate was to deliver reliable and affordable power to Ontarians. Now it’s a private, predatory company focused on profits and building a private multi-national electricity empire.”

“And they’re taking on billions in debt that the people of Ontario will have to cover if their gamble doesn’t pay-off,” Hahn said. “This is not good for Ontario and now it’s not good for the people of Oregon, Washington and Alaska.”

Hydro One borrowed $3.4 billion to finance the purchase of Avista that also includes taking on the companies $2.3 billion in US based debt.

Since private interests took over majority control of Hydro One this spring, the company has already applied for and been granted a rate increase and is now gobbling up local public utilities across Ontario and now in other countries.

“Our grandparents bought and paid for Ontario’s hydro system to make sure our province could always count on reliable and affordable power for our home, our industries and our small businesses,” said Hahn. “And now Ontario Energy Mister Glen Thibeault has the audacity to try and spin this as a positive and intended consequence of his government’s privatization plan – it’s Orwellian.”

Ontario’s largest trade union, CUPE is also a member of the Keep Hydro Public Coalition and is currently pursuing a misfeasance suit against the Ontario government over the privatization of Hydro One.

CUPE is Ontario’s community union, with more than 260,000 members providing quality public services we all rely on, in every part of the province, every day. CUPE Ontario members are proud to work in social services, health care, municipalities, school boards, universities and airlines.

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For more information, contact: Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638

www.cupe.on.ca

“It’s a public safety issue,” says Chris Sutton, representative for CUPE 5191. “There are times when there are no ambulances readily available for the entire Region of Waterloo. Our paramedics frequently work 15 to 16 hours on a 12-hour shift. They continue to answer calls even when their shift should be over or when they should be having a break. Something has to change. Our paramedics are people and not machines. They need to eat, too.”

In 2016, Paramedic Services experienced 1333 code yellows (situations where there are three or fewer ambulances available to take a call) and 212 code reds (situations where no ambulances are available). This is a very dangerous situation. Residents, even those in need of emergent care, can be left waiting for medical assistance. As part of the Master Plan for 2017, the Region of Waterloo had promised to increase the number of paramedics and ambulances, but these promises have already been scaled back and continue to leave the Region of Waterloo well behind other municipalities in the amount of service they provide. There has been no promise to meet the increased staffing needs identified for 2018 and 2019.

“When we look at the hours of service for other cities in Ontario, the average is 355 hours per 1000 residents. Currently, in the Region of Waterloo, we are at 199 hours. If we get the increases we’ve been promised, we might be up to 222 hours, still far below other municipalities. That’s just not good enough,” Sutton explained. “The Region of Waterloo is growing rapidly, residents deserve a readily available Paramedic Service with quick response times. Paramedics are frontline medical professionals who require mental and physical alertness to address life and death situations. This includes patient assessment, treatment and the same navigation of ambulances on the Region’s crowded roads, in all weather conditions, to get to the hospital. Denied breaks and 12 hour shifts routinely extend up to 16 hours, putting both the patient and the paramedic at risk. Our paramedics need to know when their shifts end, instead of having another extended shift overrun. We need to raise staffing levels so that paramedics can clock out on time knowing that there are ambulances ready to answer the next call.”

The Union and the Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services are currently negotiating a new contract for the Region’s paramedics and logistics and support staff. Members of CUPE 5191 voted on Friday to authorize the Union to take strike action if an agreement cannot be reached that addresses concerns over rest breaks and shift overruns. “Workers cannot continue to shoulder the burden of this under-resourced service. Our paramedics and the public are being put at risk.” Sutton concluded, “The residents of this Regional Municipality must ask how the Region has been allowed to fall so far behind and what can be done to bring service levels up to where they belong.”

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Chris Sutton, CUPE National Representative, 647-462-4970

Matthew Stella, CUPE Communication, 613-252-4377