#SAFETY FOR ALL: Ford's Failure to protect Ontario 

As we head into October with the highest Covid-19 infections since the pandemic began, nowhere is the Ford government’s failure to protect Ontario more exposed than their unwillingness to ensure a #SafeSeptember. Instead of investing the money needed to upgrade school facilities and ensure adequate staffing, Ford and Education Minister Lecce have spent their time picking fights with unions, belittling the efforts of School Boards and focusing on PR slogans. Only months ago our affiliates were taking job action and forfeiting pay to try to protect class sizes and the integrity of publicly funded education. The hypocrisy of Lecce and Ford on this issue is stunning. 

FORWARD TOGETHER: DISASTER-PROOF SAFETY NET FOR CANADIANS

The federal government announced that they are transitioning to a ‘simplified EI program’ in a couple of days - which is encouraging. That means Ottawa is finally listening to us.

But millions of people in Canada still need our help, so we have to stick together and keep moving forward together.

Invite your Facebook friends to send a letter to their elected representatives too!

The federal government is taking steps in the right direction, but there’s still work to be done to disaster-proof our social safety net before the next crisis from ensuring affordable housing to access to childcare. 

We’ve got their ear now - so let’s keep the conversation going.

THURSDAY: OCTOBER DELEGATES MEETING 

Labour Council Delegates will meet this Thursday October 1st by Zoom, starting at 7:30 pm.

Guest Speaker: Sharleen Stewart, President, SEIU Healthcare will join us to talk about the fight for long term care. We will be discussing our A Just Recovery for Ontario statement and we’ll also brainstorm ideas for our 150^th anniversary celebrations kicking off next year.

Delegates will receive login details and documents on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s meeting.

All union members are welcome and can stream on YouTube.

Date: Thursday, October 1 

When: 7:30pm 

Where: Zoom (TBC) & YouTube 

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30^TH: ORANGE SHIRT DAY

The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected.  Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.

The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Join us and wear your orange!

DAY OF ACTION: LONG TERM CARE

Almost 2,000 residents and staff have died as a result of COVID-19 in Ontario's long-term care homes since the pandemic began, and nearly six months later, There is no staffing plan to get staff into the hard-hit homes. Residents are being cohorted or isolated too late. All staff do not have N95 masks. We can and must do better.

The Ontario Health Coalition is calling immediately on the Ford government to recruit & train staff, improve pay and working conditions and provide full-time work. Quebec's and BC's governments have already done this. There is no excuse for further delay. The conditions of work are the conditions of care.

Join the Day of Action to create political pressure to expose the lack of action to improve care in long-term care and to push for an end to for-profit privatization of long-term care.

Date: October 8^th

Time: 11:00am

Where: Outside Queen’s Park, Grosvenor St., Wellesley Ave and Queen’s Park Circle.

Current Public Health guidelines forbid groups of more than 25 outside across Ontario. In accordance with these rules, we will hold press conferences and car motorcades. Please call the numbers below or email if you can join in: 

Call Megan (647) 549-3683 or the OHC office at (416) 441-2502 or email [email protected]

SPOTLIGHT ON... LABOUR COMMUNITY SERVICES

Every week, we will bring you a snapshot of an initiative or organisation doing great work within our labour community. 

The bridge between community and labour, the role of Labour Community Services (LCS) is to build a continuous alliance that would bridge community outreach with labour activism, thanks to their active partnership with United Way. LCS held their virtual 2019 Annual Meeting on Monday night to celebrate their achievements while addressing the theme, There Can Be No Just Recovery without Dismantling Systemic Racism. As individuals, labour activists, and members of our communities, engaging in the conversation is the first of many steps in wanting to build the Canada that is just for all, as current work through LCS and Labour Counci takes place with campaigns such as Yes, It Matters: Addressing Systemic Racism and The Refugee Next Door

Concluding the evening, the hard work and dedication of our United Way volunteers and Labour Community Advocate Training program graduates were also recognized. Congratulations for an amazing job!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the successful event and we continue to look forward to working with you all.

For any questions, please email [email protected]

WEDNESDAY: Labour Community Advocate Training Registration Deadline

Gain the skills you need to become a stronger leader in your workplace and community with Labour Community Services' LCAT program online.
To learn more or sign up, click here  or please contact Najib at [email protected].

FRIDAY: United Way - Show Your Local Love Day

United Way is labour’s charity of choice – our decades-long partner supporting neighbourhood based social services, and funding our Labour Community Services programs. Fundraising campaigns are rolling out in workplaces large and small.  This Friday is Show Your Local Love Day across greater Toronto – check it out 

OCTOBER 1: Delegates Meeting.

All union members welcome. More details to come.