Political Pulse - Fall 2017

CUPE members win strike pay from the first day
Thousands of CUPE members from across the
country voted to strengthen our bargaining power by
changing CUPE’s strike pay to begin on the first day
of a strike or lockout.
“This historic change goes hand in hand with our
members’ clear decision to put their employers on
notice – in CUPE we will not accept concessions,”
said CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn.
“Strengthening our strike pay provisions shows we
mean business.”
Ontario workers have been under attack for
decades. In response CUPE implemented its new
Bargain Forward policy earlier this year. The
Convention’s decision to implement strike pay from
day one of a strike or lockout is just one tool to
support the new policy that’s been developed to give
locals what they need to succeed at the bargaining
table.
“Workers in Ontario have been forced to accept less,
while those at the top keep lining their pockets with
more money,” said Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario’s
secretary-treasurer and regional vice president to the
national board. “Our members have said enough is
enough. They’re sending a clear message. If you’re
coming after us, we’re going to be ready and we’re
going to fight back.”
Health Care Workers demand change
CUPE Ontario’s healthcare workers’ conference, themed “Health Care
Rights, Everyone’s Fight,” was held in Niagara Falls this year.
After decades of privatization creeping into our health care system
- driving up cost and eroding patient care – the fight to protect our
universal health system requires all of us. Adequate funding for
patient care is a top priority for CUPE members in working in the
sector.
The Time to Care campaign topped the conference agenda. In
Ontario, there is no minimum care standard for aging seniors living in
long-term care and this is not acceptable.
Everyone left the conference determined to make a four-hour
minimum care standard for long-term care residence a key issue in
the upcoming provincial election.
Violence in the workplace, universal Pharmacare and protecting our
public blood system were also key agenda items.
10 Political Pulse | Fall 2017