Political Pulse - Fall 2017

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QUEEN’S PARK REVIEW The legislature’s back and election season is upon us On September 11, MPPs returned to Queen’s Park after the summer recess. Heading into an election year, we can expect all parties to be trying to position themselves to get our votes. If things weren’t bad enough for the government – with Premier Wynne having popularity ratings lower than any other Premier on record – the first week of the fall session began with two high-profile trials on the misconduct of high-ranking Liberals. Two top staffers from Premier McGuinty’s office are on trial on criminal charges of destroying public information in the cover up of the gas plant scandal. Premier Wynne’s former Deputy Chief of Staff and a well-connected party organizer are on trial, charged with offering illegal inducements (bribes) to get an unwanted Liberal candidate out of the way for the Sudbury byelection. Glenn Thibeault went on to win the seat for the Liberals and is now Minister of Energy. When it comes to interference in recent nomination races the Liberals aren’t the only ones in hot water. Accusations of serious irregularities, including ballot stiffing, have emerged in at least six Conservative party nomination meetings in recent months, including Ottawa West Nepean, Richmond Hill and Newmarket Aurora. Outrage has been so loud that the party has been forced to hire Price Waterhouse Coopers to start overseeing the process. Behind all the shenanigans, there is very important legislation working its way through the political process at Queen’s Park. Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act, has been amended and brought back for second reading. Among other things, Bill 148 will increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, require employers to pay part timers the same as full timers doing the same work, make it easier for some workers to join a union, and protect newly unionized workers from being fired without just cause before they have their a first collective agreement. While much within Bill 148 is a great victory for workers in Ontario, the labour movement is unanimous in its shock that the Liberal government chose to only extend card-based certification to a small group of workers, leaving out the majority. There is still a final opportunity for amendments before final reading and CUPE Ontario will continue to push for this to be fixed. Also, ahead in this fall’s legislative agenda will be Bill 33, anticipated to be introduced by the NDP for second reading at the beginning of November. The “Time to Care” bill would entrench a four hour a day, minimum care standard for seniors living in long-term care. Right now, there is no minimum standard of care in Ontario. Aging seniors are suffering while workers are run off their feet with one personal support worker trying to meet the needs of more than 30 residents in some cases. Written in collaboration with CUPE Ontario, Bill 33 would dramatically improve the quality of care in long-term care homes across the province. Let your MPP know that you want them to support Bill 33, visit TimeToCareOntario.ca 8 Political Pulse | Fall 2017
CUPE connects with hundreds of Ontario’s municipal councillors CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn and leaders from our municipal sector met with hundreds of mayors and councillors from across the province at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) annual conference held in Ottawa this year. There to promote the union’s municipal priorities, CUPE’s outreach was well-received. As municipalities struggle with how to increase the revenue they need to provide quality public services, CUPE Ontario offered a much-needed voice in support of progressive revenue tools. Don’t miss CUPE Ontraio’s 1 st Political Action Conference November 12 - 15 Toronto Sheraton Centre A “Hands-On” conference on political engagement, lobbying, direct action and more. Guest speakers, plenary sessions, workshops and real world experience you won’t want to miss. Facing provincial legislation that could damage frontline emergency medical support, CUPE paramedics were on hand to highlight the value of paramedic services in ensuring patient safety. Councillors at AMO overwhelmingly disagreed with proposed introduction of “fire medics,” noting paramedics provide the best quality emergency medical response in a more cost-effective way. Highlighting the important victory in Wasaga Beach that stopped the privatization of their local electricity provider, discussions with councillors showed that the vast majority supported keeping their local electrical utility public. Following hundreds of face-to-face discussions, the CUPE Ontario team collected contact information from supporters so we can continue the conversations as we gear up for the 2018 municipal elections. Guest speakers include: Stephen Lewis and Desmond Cole For registration details visit: cupe.on.ca/political-action-conference Political Pulse | Fall 2017 9
Page 1 and 2: POLITICAL PULSE NEWS FROM CUPE ONTA
Page 3 and 4: MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Sandy Heeralal-Jud
Page 5 and 6: First PRIDE in North Bay brings out
Page 7: Workers on the rise LABOUR DAY 2017
Page 11 and 12: BETTER SERVICES Long-term care work

Political Pulse - Fall 2017

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