CUPE 905

Continuing with our Black History Month Activist highlight is CUPE 905 member, Jenella James. Not only does Jenella provide crucial services to our communities as a paramedic, she is also one of the organizing members for the BIPOC Collective. This #BHM we celebrate you Jenella, thank you for the work you do!

For #BHM, were highlighting Black activists' contribution to the labour movement. Did you know the first paramedics were Black citizens who created a service in response to the systemic racism they faced in accessing health services? Listen more here https://bit.ly/3pvR5G8 #BHM

CUPE 905 would like to wish all of our Chinese members and those celebrating a Happy Lunar New Year! We are wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous year. #YearOfTheOx

We regret to inform the broader public of statements that have recently surfaced from a social media account allegedly attached to a member. As a union, we denounce all forms of racism, anti-Black racism, and discrimination. We cannot stress enough that we know the violent impacts racism and oppression has on marginalized communities. We recognize that communities expect paramedic services will be delivered with compassion and respect for human rights. Paramedic workers are ...held to a high standard by the community and provide crucial life-saving services to vulnerable people. The alleged statements are not reflective of what we stand for as a labour union and we commit to continue fighting racism in our workplaces, our union and our communities. We stand with our members, BIPOC workers especially those who are deeply impacted by these incidents. We call on our employer to create tangible strategies to address and eliminate racism, anti-Black racism, and all forms of discrimination from our workplaces.

First up on our Black History Month activist highlight is Jenna Dolly! Jenna is a social worker in public health and one of the organizing members of the CUPE 905 BIPOC Collective: a new human rights committee aiming to dismantle systemic racism within our union and society. The committee also provides safe spaces for Black, Indigenous and Racialized members. Thank you Jenna for all you do! This Black History Month we recognize you and all your contributions to making our union stronger. #BlackHistoryMonth2021

Today is the start of #BlackHistoryMonth! Introduced by Hon. Jean Augustine 25 years ago, we recognize and celebrate contributions Black labour activists have done to make our movement and world better. As a union, we also take this time to recommit ourselves to challenging anti-Black racism. Stay tuned to our social media this month as we share facts and highlight some amazing activists, including some within CUPE 905!

Cupe Nineofive Comms - live

The province’s Ontario Works transformation brings uncertainty about job security for OW workers across the province including our members. In solidarity, fellow workers are wearing red & sharing words of unity. "I stand with social services today and every day!"

We are still fangirling from our panel last week, Celebrating Queer Activism in the Labour Movement. Huge shoutout to Paigelina Pea Gee, Adrienne Smith, & Fred Hahn for lending knowledge with us. Thank you everyone for tuning in and sharing space with us. If you missed the conversation, you can find it on our youtube channel! https://youtu.be/3v_FVX4hKF0

After over a decade of work campaigning for a 4-hour legislated care for residents in long-term care, Bill 13, the Time to Care Act, has passed second reading! The Bill now has to pass a 3rd reading before it becomes law. Advocacy and solidarity work! Every email, phone call and tweet contributed to this victory. You have made it impossible for MPPs to ignore the crisis in long-term care. Thank you for the leadership of LTC workers especially our CUPE 905 members for your tireless work. Solidarity!

Markham Bargaining Unit, our BIPOC Collective & our Signing Officers all holding signs to show appreciation to frontline workers delivering necessary services during this time. To our public health, long-term care and other frontline members, thank you! #YorkHealthMatters #WeekofThanks

Did you know October is Queer History Month? This month is intended to honour the history and achievements of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. In celebration, the LGBTQ Committee invites you to participate in a trivia challenge for chance to win an amazing swag bag. Deadline to participate is October 31st. http://ow.ly/aQvP50BRzM4

Love and Solidarity to the thousands of health care workers, members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) who are currently on a wildcat strike. CUPE Local 905 sends our support! "These front-line heroes were forced to take this drastic action by a government which seeks to privatize their jobs as a cost-savings measure during a global health crisis." http://ow.ly/aB9v50C5sZ4

Happening tomorrow! Celebrating Queers in the Labour Movement last speaker, CUPE Ontario Fred Hahn! Fred Hahn has been an active member of CUPE since 1991. Elected to the CUPE Ontario Executive Board in 1998, Fred served on many committees and made labour history in 2009 when he was elected President of CUPE Ontario, the first LGBTQ person elected to lead the province’s largest union. Join us tomorrow at this link: https://bit.ly/2G6OVwe

We can each play a role in supporting our library community hubs. Get a library card, advocate for fair funding, attend programming to ensure our community hubs are able to thrive. #ThankALibraryWorker #OPLW2020

This week we recognize, "Week of Thanks" a chance to say thanks to public health inspectors, RPNs, long-term care workers, and many more. During this week hang a ‘Thank You' in your window! Make your own poster, or download one here: https://yorkhealthmatters.ca/week-of-thanks #YorkHealthMatters

Happening Tomorrow! CUPE Ontario’s Candace Rennick and our very own Cindy Martin, Vice Chair of Long Term Care, will be speaking at this timely event! Front-line workers have been calling for Bill 13: Time to Care Act for years. This bill would ensure a minimum daily average of 4 hours of hands on care per resident in every long-term care home in the province. COVID has especially revealed how vulnerable residents and LTC workers are in our communities. It’s time for action! ...Bill 13 is coming to the Ontario legislature for second reading on October 28th, make sure to call your MPP to show your support. To join the audience on Zoom, simply email [email protected] https://facebook.com/events/s/long-term-care-town-hall/982967952178430/?ti=icl

Our membership recently voted to send our CUPE 905 support to Six Nations Land Defenders. We stand with you!

Introducing our 2nd speaker for Celebrating Queers in the Labour Movement. Paigelina Pea Gee! Join us on Monday November 16, more info on the event page here http://ow.ly/p18s50ChZI3 Paige Galette, Haitian, activist and feminist, she is passionately involved in political movements fighting for social justice; the labour movement, Women's movement, Queer movement and the Black liberation. Paige served as Secretary Treasurer of CUPE 1281, and was a member of the Women’s Committee of CUPE Ontario. She is currently involved in the QTBIPOC collective Northern Voices Rising.

Did you know that over half of CUPE 905 members working in libraries were laid off when COVID hit? While most employers have reopened and recalled staff, we still have CUPE 905 members laid off and out of work today. We stand in solidarity with all laid off members and call for a return to full and safe library service as soon as possible. It is unacceptable for employers to push COVID-cost cutting onto our most precarious members. #ThankALibraryWorker #OPLW2020

This week we are celebrating Ontario Public Library Week! CUPE 905 is proud to represent 8 libraries in York Region and New Tecumseth. Our amazing library warriors are the heartbeat of our communities. Throughout these difficult months, many of our library workers have been working to provide digital content and programming for caregivers and parents. We honour you this week and all year! #ThankALibraryWorker #OPLW2020 We have a limited supply of lawn signs for you to show your support for library workers. Email Rayanne at [email protected] to pick up yours!

Front-line Tropicana Workers have been on strike since November 9th. Workers are planning a rally in support of their bargaining asks including: ending unfair work conditions & transparent management practices. Show your support and drop by the rally! http://ow.ly/f8LS50Cnn2k

We understand many members continue to face challenges trying to manage employment alongside their demands as caregivers during the pandemic. As well, many underlying health reasons that make them more vulnerable and need to continue to work remotely. We have updated our COVID Support Website with a factsheet to provide information to members who face these challenges. Visit http://ow.ly/t9lV50BOyCm

Some of the kind words that have been sent to us appreciating our amazing frontline heroes! The work you do is saving and appreciated by the communities we serve! #YorkHealthMatters

Today we were a part of a province wide day of action for long-term care. In this time we see truly how crucial our frontline workers are to keeping vulnerable members of our community safe. It’s time we fight to keep these workers safe by demanding the end for-profit LTC and improving working conditions across the board. Private for-profit homes have seen astronomical rates of infection from COVID jeopardizing the health of hundreds of workers. We can not tolerate empty promises from our provincial government anymore.- Our very own Susan Marcelo Uy spoke on behalf of LTC workers. Visit www.carenotprofits.ca to take action and support long-term care workers.

Just some of our amazing library warriors honouring #orangeshirtday #everychildmatters

"It is important to teach our kids at school and in our libraries the relevance of this day"- CUPE 905 Member Nina Brown and her son below reminding us of the importance of #OrangeShirtDay #EveryShirtDay

Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment. Here at CUPE 905, we are committed to building our labour movement in solidarity with Indigenous communities. Our membership just voted to begin all of our meetings with a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional stewards and land we occupy. We believe this is such an important step in acknowledging our privileges and moving forward together. #OrangeShirtDay

Here in Newmarket, the closest residential school was the Alnwick Industrial School. This school was in operation from 1838 until 1966. Residential schools were created by the Canadian government to ethnically cleanse Indigenous children. Once there, children were subjected to emotional, physical, & sexual abuse for decades. We remember survivors and those who passed from residential schools. Share your photos in orange and tag us! #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters

"As a worker I want to work in a country where nothing else ever gets taken from Indigenous people of this land: not an orange shirt at a residential school nor cultural dignity or another treaty right. I want to live in a country that respects Indigenous sovereignty, a country where every Indigenous child, woman and person is safe. On Orange Shirt Day, and everyday, I hope workers join me to stand in solidarity with First Nations communities struggling for justice." - CUPE 905 President Katherine recognizing #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters

Today we recognize and honour #OrangeShirtDay. This vital day is to remember those who passed as well as recognize the atrocities of Residential School and the longstanding impacts since. From boil water advisories to missing & murdered Aboriginal women, colonialism is violence and we reject all forms. Today we’re all wearing orange and sharing much needed info as we recommit to reconciliation! Share your photos in orange and tag us! #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters

We stand in solidarity with academics currently hosting #ScholarStrikeCanada. Hundreds of scholars all across this country are withholding labour to host digital teach-ins on police brutality and anti-Black and anti-Indigenous violence. We are inspired by the WNBA, NBA, & these scholars using their platforms to withhold labour and demand justice! Solidarity!

Our GMM is just one week away! CUPE Local 905 members, make sure you register through the link sent to your emails. Make your voices heard and set direction to your union. Happening, Monday, September 14th at 6:00pm. Agenda has been posted on the CUPE905.com website.

Happy Labour Day! Unions have always been on the forefront calling for necessary changes and we continue that duty as we fight for ALL workers; frontline workers, migrant workers, and otherwise vulnerable workers. Our class and labour struggle continues; as too does the resistance towards economic justice and a world safe for us all! #LabourDay2020

To protect public health, it’s time for governments to heed recommendations from public health and medical experts. We need paid sick days now! Send a letter to your elected representative: decentworkandhealth.org/paidsickdays #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives #CdnPoli