Latest news with #CUPE
National Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
UCP Needs to Listen to Albertans and Leave the Canada Pension Plan Alone: CUPE
Article content EDMONTON, Alberta — A survey of 93,000 Albertans conducted by the provincial government has a very clear message: don't touch the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The results were released by the government after a lengthy request for information by the Edmonton Journal. Article content CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says she was not surprised the survey showed 63% opposition to leaving the CPP, and only 10% support for an Alberta plan. Article content Article content 'There is no case for leaving the CPP,' said Uppal. 'An Alberta plan would cost more, and deliver weaker investment returns and smaller pensions.' Article content Uppal called on the UCP government to abandon all plans to take Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan. Article content 'I know Danielle Smith likes to flirt with separatists, but the Canada Pension Plan is one of the strongest reasons for Alberta to remain in Canada. The Premier needs to abandon this idea and stop threatening the retirement security of Albertans.' Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Wire
UCP Needs to Listen to Albertans and Leave the Canada Pension Plan Alone: CUPE
EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A survey of 93,000 Albertans conducted by the provincial government has a very clear message: don't touch the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The results were released by the government after a lengthy request for information by the Edmonton Journal. CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says she was not surprised the survey showed 63% opposition to leaving the CPP, and only 10% support for an Alberta plan. 'There is no case for leaving the CPP,' said Uppal. 'An Alberta plan would cost more, and deliver weaker investment returns and smaller pensions.' Uppal called on the UCP government to abandon all plans to take Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan. 'I know Danielle Smith likes to flirt with separatists, but the Canada Pension Plan is one of the strongest reasons for Alberta to remain in Canada. The Premier needs to abandon this idea and stop threatening the retirement security of Albertans.' :clc/cope 491
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Health PEI, CUPE workers reach tentative three-year agreement
Health PEI and members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have reached a tentative three-year collective agreement that includes wage increases and service retention premiums. The agreement is retroactive to April 1, 2023 and will run until March 31, 2026, according to a news release from Health PEI. Members from CUPE Locals 805, 1051, 1778 and 1779 will vote on the agreement next Tuesday. Combined, the four CUPE Locals represent more than 1,300 health-care workers in P.E.I. They work in laundry, maintenance, dietary, housekeeping and more. 'It has been a very difficult five years for our members. We went through COVID-19, rising living costs, staff shortages, and more than two years without a contract,' said Robyn Sharpe, president of CUPE Local 1051, in the release. 'This investment recognizes the critical role our members play in the health system and gives them the respect and support they deserve.' The agreement includes: general wage increases of 10.5 per cent across three years a $5.50/hour wage grid reset to improve competitiveness and address wage compression service retention premiums of two per cent after 10 years of service and an additional two per cent after 15 years increased shift premiums a $500 retiree return incentive a full-time commitment pay of $1.07/hour worked 'This was one of the most difficult rounds of negotiations we've faced, but it resulted in a historic agreement that our members have earned,' said John MacKenzie, chief shop steward for Local 805. 'I am not the only one who feels that this deal will be life-changing for workers. It's an exceptionally good deal, and I'm happy to see that Health PEI and the Province are investing in their front-line staff.' For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
KINSELLA: CUPE Ontario embraces madness with sponsorship of pro-Iranian protest
Union leader Fred Hahn and CUPE have advertised they will hold a rally dubbed 'HANDS OFF IRAN' outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario, speaks to a crowd in support of children's aid workers across Lanark, Leeds and Grenville at a rally held in Brockville on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Photo by Sabrina Bedford / Brockville Recorder and Times Full disclosure: I've been a member of a union. I've advised unions, for many years. I believe unions play a critical role in protecting workers and their families. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But what happens when a union loses its mind? Because, make no mistake, the Ontario branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has. It has embraced madness. Some background: Iran is considered to have the worst human rights record in the world, or close to it. Iran's Islamist rulers murder, torture, imprison, dismember, rape and brutalize their own people, all the time. Human Rights Watch – like all the other watchdogs – say that Iran is guilty of 'excessive and lethal force, torture, sexual assault, and other serious abuses.' In Iran, a person can be eliminated for expressing opposition to the Iranian dictatorship. A woman can be killed for refusing to wear a hijab, a man for being a gay. Read More Which brings us back to CUPE, and their leader, Fred Hahn. This fact is relevant: Hahn is a gay man. He proudly describes himself as the 'first openly gay president in CUPE.' That's good. That's positive. That's an achievement. So why would an openly gay man want to celebrate Iran? Because, on Sunday, that's what Fred and CUPE intend to do. On Sunday, Hahn and CUPE have advertised they are holding a rally in support of Iran outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto. 'HANDS OFF IRAN,' the poster reads, with CUPE's official logo affixed to the bottom. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Since Oct. 7, 2023 – when Hamas killed, wounded, raped or kidnapped thousands of Israelis and non-Israelis – Canada and the West have descended, ever-deeper, into a madhouse without walls. CUPE, public sector unions, academics, NGOs, charities and plenty of Gen Z and Millennials have moved from being anti-Israeli-government (which is fine) to antisemitic (which isn't). They have claimed to be concerned about the plight of Palestinians. That, perhaps, can be spun. But supporting the Iranian regime? That can't be spun. That can't be rationalized. That is indefensible. What happens to gays and lesbians and trans people in Iran? Well, article 233 of the Islamic Penal Code in Iran defines sodomy. Article 234 dictates it is punishable by death. So, in 2022, two gay men, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi, were convicted of 'sexual intercourse between two men' and hanged in prison at the Northwestern Iranian city of Maragheh. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If Fred Hahn were to visit in Iran, and if he were to simply be himself – something that is valued, and normal, and protected by the constitutions of both Israel and Canada – he would almost certainly be arrested, imprisoned and (likely, because he is non-Muslim) hanged. Which bring us back to the pro-Iran rally on Sunday. Why is CUPE Ontario supporting the number one violator of human rights in the world? Why? Under the provisions of CUPE's own constitution, it makes no sense. Section 8(c) is lengthy but worth quoting in full: 'CUPE Ontario stands unequivocally for equality and will oppose discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, class (economic status), colour, creed, disability, family status, genetic characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, language, marital status (including single status), national or ethnic origin, place of origin, political affiliation, race, record of offences, religion, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding) or sexual orientation.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That certainly seems to fully cover LGBTQ people, doesn't it? But, in Iran – which CUPE Ontario now supports – that provision is a death sentence. In Iran, opposing discrimination in the way that CUPE Ontario has? It will get you killed. It's important to note, here, that CUPE Ontario has done something that is the polar opposite of what other CUPE branches have done. In 2022, CUPE Nova Scotia said it stands in solidarity with the uprising against 'the autocratic and repressive Islamic Republic of Iran.' In 2020, CUPE Vancouver called for an investigation into Iran when it shot down Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752, killing 176 people. CUPE's national branch, meanwhile, has long called for 'the Government of Iran to immediately and unconditionally free all jailed labour activists and political prisoners in the country, and put an end to the arrests and repression of labour activists.' By endorsing Iran, CUPE Ontario, and Fred Hahn, have taken leave of their senses. They have abandoned decency and common sense. They have violated their own constitution, and they have shamed their union brothers and sisters, across Canada. They need to be decertified. CUPE Ontario needs to start over, because – this time – they have gone too f—ing far.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Striking workers at North York LTC home say replacement workers not providing quality service to seniors
Social Sharing As personal care workers at a North York long-term care home strike for benefits, sick days and higher wages, they say replacement workers are undermining their efforts and providing sub-par care to seniors. The 25 members of CUPE Local 5525, who support senior residents at Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged in North York, were on the picket line Friday. Workers have been on the picket line for three weeks now, following three years of collective bargaining that began when they unionized in 2022, according to CUPE's website. The primary cause of the strike, according to CUPE, are "poverty wages" and cuts to workers' benefits and sick days. Lilinaa Lena, a personal support worker at Villa Colombo, says her job requires a certificate diploma but after years of stagnation, it now pays just above minimum wage. She says even with current benefits and pay, some of her colleagues have to work two jobs. Lena says while she's out striking, replacement workers are undermining the union. "They are stealing our jobs," she said Friday. More than that, she says, they don't provide the same quality of service to the residents as she and her unionized colleagues. "They don't arrive on time, they don't give the right medication," she said. "We have a good connection with the seniors. They are the same as family. We help them." NDP MPP Alexa Gilmour, who joined workers on the picket line Friday, said wants Villa Colombo "to listen to the workers and reach a fair deal so that those seniors can receive the quality care that they deserve from the people that they trust." "Their employer has brought in scab labour, and the seniors are paying a price for that, because it lowers the quality of care," Gilmour said, adding that the Ontario NDP wants the provincial government to implement legislation against replacement workers. In a flyer distributed to clients and their families, Villa Colombo Toronto said it would not withhold services from clients while workers strike. "We would never leave our clients without care," the Villa Colombo flyer said. "That would go against everything we stand for." Employer says fair deal has been tabled In the same flyer, Villa Colombo Toronto said the union's statements aren't true, and that the employer "has tabled a generous offer" that includes "good hourly wages, ample sick days, generous dental and drug plans, long-term disability coverage, and a best-in-class pension plan." Lisa Alcia, executive director of Villa Colombo Toronto said in an email that over nearly 50 years, Villa Colombo Toronto has built respectful, trusted relationships with staff. "While we are disappointed by the current strike, we remain committed to delivering seamless care to our clients and hope to see our valued employees return to work under the fair and generous agreement we've offered — one that stands above sector standards and was validated by the Ontario Labour Relations Board," she said. The employer is offering workers a nearly nine per cent retroactive pay increase, a spokesperson for Villa Colombo Toronto said in an email. Villa Colombo Toronto describes the long-term care (LTC) site on its website as a "designated ethno-specific facility that encompasses all aspects of Italian life and culture into the care and services provided."
