Happy May Day!

Young Workers Committee at COPE Ontario

Big Wins For Local 468 Members

 

Congratulations to the more than 400 members of COPE Local 468 who work at London Health Sciences Centre. 

Last week, they overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement that provides significant salary increases retroactive to 2024 and going forward for two years. 

There were also benefits improvements and changes to the vacation approval system.

Thanks to the bargaining team of Local 468 for a job very well done!

The Black History of Canada

This year marks 30 years that we have been celebrating Black History Month.

But Black people have been part of the history of what we know as Canada. When the Europeans met the Mi’kmaq on the east coast hundreds of years ago, there were Black faces among the newcomers.

At every stage in the history of Canada, Black people have been there, in historic communities in Ontario, Nova Scotia and  elsewhere – building, contributing, making the country what it is today.

Too often, Black stories are erased. On this 30th history of celebrating Black History Month, we acknowledge that history and the journey toward fairness and equality.

That struggle continues along with the contributions of Black people in Canada – past, present and future.

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