Tag: COVID-19
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Letter to ERFP members re: Merger Vote
Dear ERFP member, In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, OPSEU and ERFP have unanimously made the decision to postpone the merger vote scheduled for April 27-May 11, 2020 until the fall. Our first priority is to ensure that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These are hard…
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COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes
Ministry of Health: April 15, 2020 Note: This COVID—19 Outbreak Guidance for Long—Term Care Homes (LTCH) isintended to complement Directive #3 issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Healthto LTCHs, dated April 15th, 2020 or as amended. Where there is any conflict between this COVID—19 Outbreak Guidance and Directive #3 (or any other Directive issued by the…
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National Advance Care Planning Day an important moment to reflect
It’s something few like to talk about, but planning for the last days of our lives is important. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised this issue to a new level of urgency, especially concerning our senior population. April 16 is National Advance Care Planning Day. We all want to know that we – and the…
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OPSEU President, First Vice President/Treasurer and Executive Leadership wage rollbacks during COVID-19 crisis
COVID-19. Its changed everything. From the way we do business to how we conduct ourselves. It’s an enemy that will take every bit of effort we can muster to bring it to its knees. It will take continued courage and sacrifice to wrestle back some semblance of normalcy. And if there’s one thing we all…
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CMOH COVID-19 Directive #5 – Revised
COVID-19 Directive #5 for Hospitals within the meaning of the Public Hospitals Act and Long-Term Care Homes within the meaning of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 Issued under Section 77.7 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7 THIS DIRECTIVE REPLACES THE DIRECTIVE #5 ISSUED ON MARCH 31, 2020. THE…
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To all the workers on the front lines: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
In the face of COVID-19, we are strong. We are OPSEU strong. And we are Ontario strong. We have a simple message to each and every worker who continues to do critical work – in both the public and private sector – thank you. Thank you for every sacrifice you’re making and every risk you’re…
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OPSEU President demands stronger leadership from senior medical experts
TORONTO – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is demanding stronger leadership from Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. David Williams in the handling of the COVID-19 crisis. “What Canadians need now is the truth,” said Thomas. “The communication from the senior public health experts has been a tale of mixed messaging and confusion, this is a…
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OPSEU letters to Ontario government officials re CMOH Directives
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, OPSEU has been continuously working with the Ontario government to protect our front line workers. View the attachments below to read letters addressing the following issues: Letters to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Williams, requesting clarification regarding “asymptomatic transmission” of COVID-19 as it pertains to essential workers, and ensuring that…
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Cancellation of OPSEU’s May 2020 Annual Convention
Due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 6th OPSEU’s Executive Board voted to cancel plans to hold the union’s annual convention scheduled for May 21st. The Executive Board made the tough decision due to the state of emergency declared by the City of Toronto that cancelled all large events, non-essential services…
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This April 7th COVID-19 gives us all pause to think about the importance of World Health Day
As COVID-19 tests the limits of our resolve and wellness, it has taught us valuable lessons about our connections to each other, and our ability to work together even while isolated within our own homes. This new reality has not broken us on this World Health Day. In fact, it makes us stronger and better…
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OPSEU partnering with Thunder Bay restaurant to help amidst COVID-19
THUNDER BAY — The Beacon Restaurant in Thunder Bay is giving back to the community by preparing and donating 300 meals, paid for by Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 720, to the Regional Food Distribution Association of Northwestern Ontario (RFDA). “The idea is to support small businesses, but to also help people who are…
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OPSEU President calls out Hastings County management for hamfisted behaviour
TORONTO – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is demanding Hastings County management work with the union and back-off from placing staff on unpaid Declared Emergency Leave. “This shouldn’t be a ransom situation,” said Thomas. “This Employer is attempting to pressure the union with action that negatively impacts workers – it is completely unacceptable and hamfisted.”…
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Join us for an Equal Pay Day Rally
April 4th is the day women’s median earnings in Canada finally catch up to men’s median earnings from last year. Can you believe it? It still takes 16 months for women’s median earnings to catch up to what men make in twelve. This year, Equal Pay Day takes place with the backdrop of the COVID-19…
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Letter to banks and credit card companies in Canada re: Interest Rate relief
The following letter was sent by the President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Hassan Yusuff, to the CEOs of Canada’s main banks and credit card companies. Click here to see the original message shared on Twitter. April 2, 2020 To: Bharat Masrani, CEO, Toronto-Dominion Bank Brian Porter, CEO, Scotiabank Darryl White, CEO, Bank of Montreal…
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OPSEU: beware the bad-boss hall of shame
TORONTO – After successfully pushing back against a number of employers who tried to lay off workers or cut their benefits during the COVID-19 crisis, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has a warning for all employers: beware of the bad-boss hall of shame. “OPSEU will not allow bad bosses to kick workers to the ‘CERB’,”…