Category Archives: cupe national

Bonfield Mayor suddenly calls ‘special’ meeting to hire scabs to prolong strike warns CUPE

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Aug 15, 2013 http://cupe.ca/

BONFIELD, Ont. – After cancelling several public council meetings including the latest scheduled meeting for this past Tuesday evening, the Bonfield Mayor called a special meeting for today, Thursday, August 15 at 4:00 pm (when the majority of Bonfield residents will be at work) to make plans to hire scabs and prolong the strike, warned the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the 16 Bonfield municipal workers.

“The Mayor is being underhanded and sneaky about the whole situation,” said Steve Boyle, CUPE National Representative. “While he cancelled several public meetings in the past weeks to prevent the public from speaking about the mayor’s actions that led to the strike, he’s being underhanded by suddenly calling for a special meeting for today at 4:00 when most of the residents will be at work, to make plans to hire scabs.”

“The Mayor talked about needing a cooling off period after first forcing the workers on strike and now he’s making plans to hire scabs that will prolong the strike – how will this solve anything?” continued Boyle. “This latest stunt will certainly heat up the situation further – eventually the Mayor and Council will have to face the residents for their actions, for pushing their workers on the picket line and denying this community proper public services.”

The workers have been on strike for a fair contract since August 1. In addition to pushing for concessions, including plans to contract out public services, the Mayor threatened to impose new terms and conditions forcing the workers on strike. “Now he’s avoiding the public by scheduling meetings at inconvenient times for the public to avoid hearing from the residents about the strike. The only way this strike will end is at the bargaining table – avoiding the public, cancelling meetings and hiring scabs will only prolong the strike and aggravate the already heated situation.”

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For further information, please contact:

Steve Boyle, CUPE National Representative, 705-662-5975
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 905-739-3999

Solidarity served at BBQ rally hosted by CUPE leaders

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Aug 14, 2013    http://cupe.ca

The Bonfield Township Council meeting was cancelled by the mayor and the forecasted rain never came, but CUPE leaders led by Charles Fleury, CUPE national secretary-treasurer, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer and Henri Giroux, president of North Bay CUPE District Council along with CUPE members and Bonfield residents, did come out on Tuesday afternoon to show support for the striking CUPE 4616-2 members at a solidarity BBQ.

“You have the support of over 600,000 CUPE members across Canada,” said Charles Fleury, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer, bringing greetings and support for the 16 municipal workers on strike in Bonfield. “CUPE supports your fight against concessions and we are with you every step of the way.”

Echoing brother Fleury’s remarks, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary treasurer said: “We will stand by you and provide you with all the resources you need to win this fight.” Henri Giroux, who helped organize the event, also thanked the community for their continued support for the striking workers.

More than 150 people, from Bonfield residents to CUPE members from across the province, to local union members, brought solidarity messages and let the strikers know that they have the full support of their Ontario brothers and sisters.

Garth Pigeau, President of CUPE 4616-2 was encouraged by the support shown to his striking members and said, “Solidarity, this is what the union is all about.”

The workers have been on strike since August 1, 2013.

Reverse public spending cuts, introduce progressive measures to boost jobs and growth: CUPE

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Government spending cuts have increased unemployment, are slowing economic growth, and are diminishing services and standards for Canadians.

In its pre-federal budget submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, CUPE is expressing deep concerns over the harm these imposed austerity measures are having on Canadians, and the need to strengthen social programs, like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI).

Canada’s economic growth has been much slower than it was in previous recoveries. Federal spending reductions will slow the economy by an average of one percentage point (or close to $20 billion) a year and reduce employment levels by over 100,000, as estimated by the Parliamentary Budget Office last year.

CUPE is recommending an expansion of public services that could generate hundreds of thousands of additional jobs, boost wages, living standards and economic growth. The vast majority of individual Canadians and businesses would benefit from federal government measures focused on improving public services, boosting the economy, generating jobs and reducing inequality.

CUPE also recommends expanding the Canada Pension Plan by phasing in modest contribution increases over seven years that would in time double benefit levels. Improving CPP would benefit all workers, help stabilize existing workplace pension plans, increase economic security and stability for communities, reduce poverty and reduce pressure on social assistance programs.

When CPP contribution rates were last increased, unemployment fell significantly. The increase in contribution rates that we envision is considerably less this time. Polling shows that 75 per cent of Canadians support an expanded CPP, as do many pension experts and the majority of provinces.

CUPE is also advocating for the immediate reversal of cuts to Employment Insurance made in Bill C-38 that reduce eligibility for benefits, force claimants to take unsuitable and lower paid jobs and eliminated the EI Board of Referees.

Introducing different classes of claimants and changing access to EI benefits particularly hurts seasonal workers and those in precarious employment most, including women, youth, low income and other marginalized workers in communities across Canada. Changes to the appeals process has reduced fairness for claimants unjustly rejected. All workers are negatively affected as such changes drive down wages.

Pre-budget submissions are being accepted until August 5, 2013.

Read CUPE’s pre-federal budget submission
(357 kB)

CUPE calls for a real continuum of care based on the needs of seniors

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Jul 29, 2013 03:59 PM    http://cupe.ca

CUPE calls for a real continuum of care based on the needs of seniors

CUPE is concerned about the either-or approach that provincial and territorial leaders appear to have endorsed at last week’s Council of the Federation meeting. In the post-meeting communiqué, the premiers stated they “will look at successful efforts to prioritize homecare over long-term care institutionalization and identify two to three innovative models for provinces and territories to consider adapting.”

This could mean a plan to shift even more resources out of residential long-term care to fund an expansion of home care. Home care is, and must be, a critical part of our continuum of care, but must come with additional resources, and not at the expense of long-term care. Shifting existing resources around without adding new funding just won’t work. 

We need additional resources for home care. Some provinces have used funding increases to home care to justify real reductions to long-term care and hospital care; that is just wrong.

The number of older seniors (85+ years old) is set to triple in the next 40 years from around 1-in-30 to around 1-in-10.  Older seniors face more complicated and serious health issues some of which cannot be met in a home care setting. The growing share of the population 85 years and older will result in much greater demand for long-term care beds.

By one estimate, the number of beds required in long-term care facilities could range from 565,000 to 746,000 by 2031. Currently, Canada has around 200,000 long-term care beds. Residential long-term care spaces will need to triple alongside the tripling in the numbers of older seniors.

Home care will need to be a key element of the continuing care system, but we desperately need public investment in our residential long-term care systems to meet this demographic challenge.

That is why CUPE is advocating for the creation of a new continuing care federal program which would cover home and community care, as well as long-term care. In addition, we are pushing for the expansion of the non-profit and public delivery of these necessary services, as these are areas that are highly privatized in some provinces.

CUPE represents approximately 72,500 residential long-term care workers and home care workers across Canada. Our members work every day to ensure patients in residential care facilities receive the highest quality medical care and personal attention under very difficult working conditions.

CUPE 2262 members save a life

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In late May, the quick response of CUPE members working at the Castlegar and District Community Complex saved a man’s life.

According to reports from the Castlegar Source, Castlegar resident Greg Gritchin, was taking part in a National Lifeguard Service Course. The course was proceeding normally when staff and instructors suddenly noticed that Gritchin was lying face down in the pool. Without hesitation, the team leapt into action, pulling Gritchin from the water. CUPE members Vanessa Bloodoff, Josh Davis and Troy Bingham put their emergency training to good use.

They administered CPR and used the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to start resuscitation. First responders were called, and when they got there, Gritchin was regaining consciousness. The paramedics acknowledged that the quick action of the Community Complex staff made all the difference in the first critical minutes. It turns out Gritchin had a sudden cardiac arrest from a blocked artery – a condition he didn’t even know he had. He has made a full recovery, and is very grateful to pool staff for their fast response.

“Lifeguards and other workers at public recreation facilities are well trained and very qualified to deal with emergency situations just like this,” said Mark Hancock, president of CUPE BC. “On behalf of all 85,000 CUPE members across B.C., I want to extend congratulations to all the staff members in Castlegar for helping save Mr. Gritchin’s life. It’s situations like this—and hundreds of others that aren’t quite as dramatic—that show the importance of strong public services in our communities.”

“Keeping municipal recreational services public means workers have access to training funds through their collective agreements. Privatized facilities don’t have the same emphasis. We are very proud of these heroes.”

Along with the course instructors, CUPE members Vanessa Bloodoff, Josh Davis, Troy Bingham have been commended for their actions.

CUPE 2262 represents 55 civic workers in Castlegar’s aquatic centre, arenas, and landfill.