International Womens Day 2024

Celebrating International Women's Day!

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and determination of women in the labour movement and beyond. On this International Women's Day, COPE Ontario proudly stands in solidarity with women workers everywhere, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and gender equality in the workplace. 

For generations, women have been at the forefront of the fight for workers' rights. From the historic garment worker strikes to the modern-day campaigns for paid parental leave and affordable childcare, women have been instrumental in shaping the labour movement and driving social change.

However, we recognize that the struggle for gender equity is far from over. Women continue to face discrimination, harassment, and unequal pay in many industries. Women of colour, indigenous women, trans women, and women with disabilities face intersecting forms of oppression that must be addressed within our movement.

Since its conception in 2004, COPE Ontario has been led by strong women, supporting members in workplaces that are predominantly represented by women. Whether it be education, healthcare or social services, COPE Ontario is proud to support women in the fight for justice and equity in workplaces.

COPE Ontario is committed to amplifying the voices of women workers and advocating for policies that promote gender equality and social justice. We believe in building inclusive workplaces where all women are valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to live and work with dignity and respect. Happy International Women's Day from COPE Ontario!

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National Day of Mourning - April 28, 2024

April 28th is the labour movement’s most solemn day, but also one to refocus our commitment to preventing future workplace injuries and deaths. Every year, thousands of workers, friends and families of fallen workers gather at ceremonies across Canada to recognize the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job.

Events taking place across Ontario contact your local Labour Council:

Brantford & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Fordview Park, Brantford, ON
Contact: Roxanne Bond
519-209-2154 or [email protected]
www.brantforddistrictlabourcouncil.ca 

Barrie & District Labour Council 
Flag raising followed by candlelight vigil
Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie, ON  L4M 1G8
April 26, 2024 at 3:45 p.m.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://barrielabour.ca/  

Chatham-Kent Labour Council 
Memorial on Grand Ave, across from Giant Tiger Store, in Chatham, ON  N7L 1C5
April 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Contact: Linda Reaume, President, [email protected]  

Cornwall & District Labour Council 
Lamoureux Park, 100 Water St E, Cornwall, ON  K6H 6G4
April 25, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.
Contact: Louise Lanctot, 613-932-1943 

Durham Region Labour Council 
City of Oshawa – Day of Mourning Monument, 50 Centre St. S. Oshawa, ON  L1H 3Z7
April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: [email protected] or 905 579-5188
Website: https://durhamlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-2024/

Fort Erie, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the monument located at Forth Erie City Hall, 1 Municipal Centre Drive, along Highway 3, Fort Erie, ON  L2A 2S6
April 28, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.
Contact: [email protected]

Grey-Bruce Labour Council 
Chesley Community Centre, 129 4th Ave SE, Chesley, ON  N0G 1L0
April 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Kevin Smith, President, [email protected]

Guelph & District Labour Council 
Goldie Mill Park, 75 Cardigan St, Guelph, ON  N1H 3Z7
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Guelph-District-Labour-Council-1593522250974861  

Hamilton & District Labour Council 
Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON  L8P 4Y5
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Anthony Marco, President, [email protected]

 

Ontario Court of Appeals confirms Bill 124 is unconstitutional

Ontario Court of Appeals confirms Bill 124 is unconstitutional.

On 12 February 2024, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a decision that the wage-restraint legislation known as Bill 124 was unconstitutional. In a majority decision, the court affirmed a 2022 ruling which found that Bill 124 interfered with the freedom of association guarantee under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Court of Appeal also found that, as a result of Bill 124, “organized public sector workers, many of whom are women, racialized and/or low-income earners, have lost the ability to negotiate for better compensation or even better work conditions that do not have a monetary value.”

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