CUPE Supports CUPW

Recently, CUPE members from the Air Canada Component demonstrated remarkable solidarity and resilience by standing up to federal interference in their bargaining process. By challenging the government’s use of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, they successfully forced the employer back to the table and reached a tentative agreement. This victory is a powerful reminder that our right to free collective bargaining is protected under the Charter – and must be respected.

But this fight is far from over.

Our Sisters and Brothers in the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are facing a similar struggle. CUPW members in both urban and rural/suburban units have overwhelmingly rejected Canada Post’s final offer. Despite CUPW’s efforts to re-engage in meaningful negotiations – including a direct invitation to CEO Doug Ettinger on August 6 – Canada Post has responded not with cooperation, but with further attacks on services and working conditions.

This pattern of employer aggression, backed by federal interference, is unacceptable. Just as CUPE members at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge stood firm, we must continue to stand with CUPW to demand fair treatment and respect for their bargaining rights.

Here’s how you can help:

  1. Write letters of support for postal workers. These letters should call on Canada Post to negotiate fairly and urge the federal government to stop interfering in the bargaining process, specifically to commit to no more back-to-work legislation or imposed votes.
  2. Amplify public support: Post the attached “Negotiate Now” poster in both English and French across your social media platforms.
  3. Continue to call out government interference: Actively denounce the federal Liberal government’s blatant interference in the collective bargaining process, interference that has repeatedly favoured the employer. We urge you to raise this issue prominently during union meetings.

OMERS Pension Review

The Ford Conservatives have ordered an OMERS governance review and appointed one of their own, Robert Poirier, to lead it.

The review will look at the Sponsors Corporation (SC) in particular. This is the body in which CUPE and other unions are represented; the SC is how CUPE plan members have their say over what happens to the plan that manages their pension.

Your retirement future depends on your involvement!

Get involved!

OMERS Pension

An OMERS review is underway – make sure you have your say!

The Ford Conservatives have ordered an OMERS governance review and appointed one of their own, Robert Poirier, to lead it. The review will look at the Sponsors Corporation (SC) in particular. This is the body in which CUPE and other unions are represented; the SC is how CUPE plan members have their say over what happens to the plan that manages their pension. Your retirement future depends on your involvement!
Get involved!
Our submission to the governance review will demand
  • an end to the bogus “confidentiality” requirements that keep plan sponsors like CUPE in the dark about OMERS operations,
  • recognition that “joint sponsorship” means that CUPE members must have a say in OMERS decision and direction,
  • real-world consequences for OMERS brass when they don’t meet the plan’s investment targets,
  • and an end to obscene compensation for OMERS executives: OMERS bosses make top pay but produce the worst growth of all public sector pension plans!

Remember, an OMERS pension isn’t a gift. It’s your deferred wages!

Savings for Union Members

The following website is available for Local 101 members with lots of good discounts. You will be asked to setup an account: www.unionsavings.ca

 

36 Reasons to Thank Your Union

Did you know that labour unions made the following 36 things possible?

1. Weekends without work
2. All breaks at work, including your lunch breaks
3. Paid vacation
4. Family & medical leave
5. Sick leave
6. Social security
7. Minimum wage
8. Prohibiting employer discrimination
9. 8-hour work day
10. Overtime pay
11. Child labour laws
12. Occupational Safety & Health
13. 40-hour work week
14. Workers’ compensation (workers’ comp)
15. Unemployment insurance
16. Pensions
17. Workplace safety standards and regulations
18. Employer health care insurance
19. Collective bargaining rights for employees
20. Wrongful termination laws
21. Legislation against age discrimination
22. Whistle blower protection laws
23. Legislation prohibiting employers from using a lie detector test on an employee
24. Veteran’s employment and training services
25. Compensation increases and evaluations (i.e. raises)
26. Sexual harassment laws
27. Disabilities legislation
28. Holiday pay
29. Employer dental, life, and vision insurance
30. Privacy rights
31. Pregnancy and parental leave
32. Military leave
33. The right to strike
34. Public education for children
35. Equal pay – requires employers pay men and women equally for the same amount of work
36. Laws ending sweatshops

London Abused Women’s Centre

We want to say thank you to CUPE101 for being a sponsor for our 20th Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast! Thank you for supporting us so we can continue to support women and girls!