National Day of Mourning - April 28, 2024

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]

 

COPE Ontario in the news

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:

LABOUR RELATIONS SPECIALIST - JOB POSTING

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.

International Womens Day 2024

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. 

Ontario Court of Appeals confirms Bill 124 is unconstitutional

Ontario Court of Appeals confirms Bill 124 is unconstitutional.

On 12 February 2024, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a decision that the wage-restraint legislation known as Bill 124 was unconstitutional. In a majority decision, the court affirmed a 2022 ruling which found that Bill 124 interfered with the freedom of association guarantee under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Court of Appeal also found that, as a result of Bill 124, “organized public sector workers, many of whom are women, racialized and/or low-income earners, have lost the ability to negotiate for better compensation or even better work conditions that do not have a monetary value.”

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 2024-2026 GUIDELINE AND STEPS

This program is designed to enable skill development for COPE Ontario members that will prove useful in the various sectors that COPE Ontario represents. Participants will gain knowledge and experience to ensure they grow and learn how best to strengthen our union while serving its members. Successful applicants chosen for the Mentorship Program will be trained in various positions including but not limited to becoming: a Labour Relations Specialist to cover all sectors, or a specialist in Healthcare or Education; Benefits Representative; or Organizer. Opportunities will also be available to become Instructors/Facilitators specializing in a variety of topics and areas of labour priorities. Locals of COPE Ontario will be responsible for ensuring all necessary arrangements are made for their member’s lost time. It is expected that the cost of lost time will be shared by all three parties: the Local Union, COPE Ontario, and the participating member.

COPE Ontario 2024 Annual General Meeting

Dear COPE Members:

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of COPE Ontario will be held on Saturday, May 4^th and Sunday, May 5^th, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and will conclude at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The location of the meeting is as follows:  Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

A block of guestrooms has been negotiated with the Lord Elgin Hotel, 100 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario at the rates of $239.00 (single)/$249.00 (double) plus taxes and fees per night.  The direct link to book the hotel is: https://reservations.travelclick.com/12200?groupID=4213228. Delegates may contact the hotel directly to make their reservation by calling 613-235-3333. The group block number is 5134734.

The cutoff date for reservations is Wednesday, March 27^th, 2024. 

Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month 

 

As we embark on the month of February, COPE Ontario proudly joins the nation in celebrating Black History Month—a time to recognize, honor, and amplify the extraordinary contributions of Black individuals throughout history. This year, we are especially focused on highlighting the invaluable impact Black leaders have made within the labour movement, shaping a more just and equitable society for all.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Gender-Based Violence

As we commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, COPE Ontario reaffirms its unwavering commitment to eradicating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and marginalized genders. This annual global campaign, running from November 25th to December 10th, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the pervasive issues surrounding gender-based violence. 

COPE 527 at Queens Park