FLIGHT ATTENDANTS' FIGHT OUR FIGHT

The federal labour board says the Air Canada flight attendants' strike is illegal, that once ordered back to work they have to go. Or else.

But which party is actually defying the law here?

The Supreme Court of Canada has consistently ruled that the ability to bargain a collective agreement and to strike to get one are constitutionally protected.

But Air Canada were not full partners in bargaining. They ran out the clock, knowing that the Carney government would do their bidding by pulling the plug on bargaining and getting a back-to-work order.

If Air Canada can get away with this, who's next? And it's not only those in federal sector who need be worried. In Ontario, the Ford government's Bill 5 allows employers to ignore labour and safety laws if they can get their project designated.

Enough is enough. COPE Ontario stands with CUPE and Air Canada flight attendants.

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Statement from COPE President Annette Toth on Alberta government’s strike busting

October 29, 2025

Annette Toth, President of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE), has released this statement in response to the Government of Alberta’s use of the notwithstanding clause to attack the rights of teachers and to end the teachers’ strike. COPE represents tens of thousands of union workers in both the public and private sector across Canada:

COPE strongly condemns the Government of Alberta and Premier Danielle Smith’s assault on the rights of the striking teachers in Alberta by invoking the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work.

No matter how the Government of Alberta attempts to frame it, this is nothing but an attack on the fundamental rights of teachers who are exercising their rights as workers and doing their part to defend public education and students in Alberta by asking the government to address critical issues that are affecting the educational experience, including class sizes and the need for student support.

By taking this action, the Government of Alberta is also showing they have little regard for workers’ rights in general and would be willing to use this method to attack workers and union members in any sector as they see ﬁt.

Our union, and our tens of thousands of members across the country, stands in solidarity with the teachers in Alberta, and with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, in their continued efforts to defend public education and workers’ rights in the face of a government that has shown little regard for either.

:kc

See original statement

TRUTH, RECONCILIATION AND UNIONS

Next week, Canadians observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, an important step on the road to remaking colonial relationships with Indigenous peoples.

There's always the risk that putting the date in the calendar will be taken as a sign of mission accomplished, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

In fact, recent moves by the federal and Ontario governments seem to be moving us backward, not forward. Bill C-5 in the House of Commons and Bill 5 in Ontario undermine the constitutional obligation to consult First Nations on natural resource development proposals. Mark Carney, Doug Ford and their governments have disrespected Indigenous peoples and not treated them as equal partners.

The rush to cut, dig and mine wilderness areas — many of which are Treaty territory or subject to land claims — put unions in a difficult position. On the one hand, high-paying jobs for our members would be welcome at this economically uncertain time.

But what of our obligations to support truth and reconciliation? Unions have worked hard on internal equity and being allies of Indigenous peoples. But the words of our land acknowledgements will ring allow if we desert first peoples to sit with governments and corporations to advance their interests rather than those of Indigenous peoples.

On September 30, let us all — individuals and unions — be mindful of the crimes of the past, recommit ourselves to the hard work of reconciliation, and work with and not against the aspirations of Indigenous peoples.

Great news for Toronto transit and COPE members

Finally, the news for which we've been waiting for so long.

The governments of Canada, Ontario and Toronto jointly announced today that the contract for new TTC subway trains will go to Alstom Transport Canada Inc. in Thunder Bay.

That is good news for members of COPE Local 81 who work at Alstom.

It is also a welcome development for Toronto transit — 55 of the six-car trains will replace aging Line 2 equipment. The other 15 are for the Yonge North and Scarborough subway extensions.

More good unions jobs, fewer transit delays because of equipment breakdowns.

Celebrating Our Power

Too soon, we're at the tail end of summer and getting ready for Labour Day.

Wherever you are in Ontario, we hope you'll find a way to show support for our labour movement at this pivotal time in our history.

In Ontario, the Ford government has gone to war with the education sector, and has forced through Bill 5, which rips through labour and environmental protections to an extent that would even shock Mike Harris.

In Ottawa, pretend progressive Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready for mass layoffs to finance military purchases that will send revenue to American arms manufacturers.

There is a better, worker-friendly vision for the future. Let's fight for it. See you on September 1.

Barrie and District Labour Council

Heritage Park
5 Simcoe St, Barrie, ON L4M 1L6
September 1, 2025; 11:00 am – 2:00pm
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://barrielabour.ca/

Brantford & District Labour Council
69th Annual Labour Day Soapbox Derby: Icomm Drive at the Lorne Bridge
Registration 8:00 am, Race Start 9:00 am
Contact: Roxanne Bond: http://www.brantforddistrictlabourcouncil.ca/roxanne-bond—recording-secretary.html
Website: http://www.brantforddistrictlabourcouncil.ca/

Durham Region Labour Council
Labour Day Picnic
Memorial Park Oshawa – 110 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa, ON L1H7M7
September 1, 2025; 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Contact [email protected] for details
Website: https://durhamlabour.ca/events/

Hamilton & District Labour Council
September 1, 2025; 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Parade – Corner of Bay St. N and Stuart St.- 10:30 am
Picnic – Bayfront Park – 11:30 am
200 Harbour Front Dr, Hamilton, ON L8L 1C8.
Contact: Anthony Marco, President [email protected]

Kingston and District Labour Council
Labour Day Parade and BBQ
McBurney Park, 30 Alma St, Kingston ON
September 1, 2025; 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Contact: [email protected]
Website: kingstonlabour.ca