COPE ONTARIO STATEMENT ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

As the Ontario government implements their plan to further open Ontario during the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19 virus, our members have communicated their concerns about workplace health and safety.

COPE Ontario’s Executive Board has discussed and debated these issues and believes the best way to protect our members and the public is to follow the advice of public health experts, protect personal medical information, and promote healthy and safe workplaces while representing members’ rights.

COPE Ontario recognizes that vaccinations are the best way to be protected from the COVID-19 virus and encourages all COPE members to be vaccinated subject to the exemptions which include medical and human rights exemptions.  COPE Ontario also supports testing and the following of all public health measures such as physical distancing, masking where appropriate, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), handwashing, working remotely where possible, etc. as directed by Ontario’s Chief Medial Officer of Health and the COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.

We, as a union, recognize that we are collectively navigating unprecedented times and call upon all our members to prioritize health and safety, asking for proactive leadership from each member in the choices they make to ensure that they, their families, and communities stay safe.

COPE Ontario Executive

LABOUR DAY 2021

Though we celebrate our successes on Labour Day, we at COPE Ontario are aware that much work is ahead of us. We know that many of the rights afforded to our members are not shared by all workers in similar fields. We are committed to being a champion for those who have none and for those who are silenced. We are cognizant that our own locals are under attack by the bosses and the broader situation of society wide rampant unaffordability. We affirm our commitment to our members to not only defend their existing victories but to push them further in the spirit of fairness for all.

Click to read COPE Ontario Labour Day Statement.

BASIC INCOME - know the facts

We at COPE Ontario support basic income for our members and all workers across Canada. We firmly believe that the financial security that comes with basic income allows for healthier, happier, and more successful communities. When the stresses of grocery bills and the like are taken out, or at the very least reduced, one can focus on other pursuits like their career, family, education etc. However, it must also be asserted that we at COPE Ontario do not believe that basic income is a fix-all remedy for the financially grounded barriers affecting workers today (i.e. skyrocketing rent and stagnant wages).

Click to read entire statement and access more info resources.

COPE ONTARIO GROWS !

COPE Ontario welcomes our new members, the workers of LEADWAVE Technologies Inc!  

Based out of south-west Ontario, these workers are from the Tech sector and decided to join COPE to build a better workplace for each other. Working for a Managed Service Provider (MSP), these workers provide IT infrastructure and support to their numerous clients in cities across southern Ontario. The Tech sector remains largely non-unionized but not due to a lack of workers’ interest. In the USA, the workers at Glitch were the first in the Tech sector to join a union – they're proud members of the Communication Workers of America (CWA). Similar to the workers at Glitch, the workers at LEADWAVE are the first in the Tech Sector in Canada to unionize – they're currently no other unionized MSPs in Canada. We now work towards negotiating a first contract. Welcome to the workers of LEADWAVE and here’s to continuing to organize more workers across the Tech sector to join our union family! 

FALL-WINTER WORKSHOPS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

COPE Ontario has launched virtual education workshops on many areas of interest. Visit the Education page to register today.

BILL124 LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FORD GOVERNMENT

A Coalition of over 40 Ontario unions has formally filed evidence in a lawsuit to repeal legislation which severely limits wage and benefit increases for public sector workers, a move the Coalition says violates bargaining rights enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Our healthcare, education and public sector workers impacted by Bill 124 are key to the wellbeing of all Ontarians. They deserve respect and dignity,” Said Patty Clancy, Director of COPE Ontario, “the Ford government sees them as disposable collateral to be stripped of their rights to suit political agendas.”

Read COPE Ontario Press Release. 

COPE Ontario Office Closure

COPE Staff continue to work remotely to ensure our members are represented and workplace issues are addressed.  Virtual meetings are held with our members and employers, including negotiations, arbitrations, bargaining unit meetings, etc., to ensure the safety of our staff and members.  We continue to work to ensure the safety of our members in their workplaces, including the ability to work remotely where possible. To ensure the ongoing access to training for members, we will be launching online workshops this month. 

In the event of a workplace emergency or you have questions about your rights and responsibilities during the provincial response to COVID-19, please email [email protected] A staff member of COPE Ontario will ensure that you receive a response promptly.

Stay safe, practice proactive isolation and remember to wash your hands. Connect with us online, Facebook or Twitter for updates.

The COPE Ontario Team