Please click on the following link for article.
These are challenging times. We have authoritarianism south of the border, a federal government focused on austerity and layoffs, and a Ford government financially starving the public services on which the people of Ontario rely.
What is the way forward for COPE and the union movement?
Join us for two important events next week.
On September 11 at 2 pm, MPP Peter Tabuns discusses the outrageous Bill 5, which allows the provincial government to designate any project as exempt from labour and safety laws. Email [email protected] for the Zoom link.
On September 12 at 1:30 pm, join us live on Facebook for a conversation with former federal MP Matthew Green about why the federal NDP leadership race matters and the new organizing strategies needed for this pivotal moment.
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.
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.
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