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]

Please check out this article from Maclean's magazine from a former COPE Local 527 member who worked with Hamilton Wentworth District School Board as an EA that illustrates the many challenges working in the school board.

Click here:

The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Ontario (COPE Ontario) is seeking a full-time Labour Relations Specialist. COPE Ontario is a grassroots union with multiple workplaces across the province and is seeking to hire a Labour Relations Specialist. The Labour Relations Specialist works with their assigned Locals’ main contact for servicing at the members’ workplaces. Applicants should have demonstrated experience in, and an extensive knowledge of unions and labour relations to assist and expand the union’s capacity through bargaining strong collective agreements and representing members in workplaces.

REQUIREMENTS:

The selected candidate must be able to perform the following duties and other related duties:

1. Membership Service: The Labour Relations Specialist is a resource person and advisor for members with work-related problems. In this regard, the Labour Relations Specialist shall a) provide assistance and accurate advice with grievances and discipline; b) advise members as to their rights and obligations under relevant legislation and regulations, their Collective Agreement, COPE Ontario constitution and the Local’s By-laws.
2. Grievances, representation, arbitrations, and other legal matters: The Labour Relations Specialist advises and represents members; investigates, prepares, presents, and represents members in grievances with the assistance of Stewards and Executive officers; and assists with arbitrations, Labour Relations Board (or equivalent) proceedings and makes determinations on the merit and filing of grievances or resolving workplace/policy issues in alternative formats.
3. Contract Negotiations: The Labour Relations Specialist, in conjunction with the local union, is the Chief spokesperson for sub-local bargaining teams, and is the lead for all tasks associated with contract negotiations, including research, drafting of contract proposals, bargaining, organizing around the bargaining process, conciliation, mediation, and preparation for job action.
4. Resource to the Local’s Executive: The Labour Relations Specialist is a resource person and advisor to the local Executive and assists it in the carrying out of its duties. The Labour Relations Specialist shall provide support and mentorship of local executives and stewards. The Labour Relations Specialist will, unless otherwise advised, attend monthly Executive meetings, and shall report to the meeting, as deemed appropriate by the Executive. When requested, the Labour Relations Specialist shall attend membership and sub-local membership meetings, and Local committee meetings. Help organize general membership meetings, steward meetings, joint labour- management meetings, and arrange on-site location unit visits.
5. External Liaison: The Labour Relations Specialist, in conjunction with the local union, is a liaison between the Local and the Local's Employers and other affiliated groups, including unions, political organizations, associations, students’ unions, etc.
6. Administration and Training: The Labour Relations Specialist will aid the Local President and other officers to ensure the efficient operation of the Local’s Office in all administrative matters. Conduct workshops, presentations, and training as required.
7. It is understood that the emphasis placed on the tasks in this job description may vary from time to time based on the needs of the locals. The setting of priorities shall be done in consultation with COPE Ontario’s Director.
8. This job requires the employee to travel to different parts of the province and to work evenings and the occasional weekend as required. The workspace is flexible and the office space available is sometimes shared.

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.