Tag: COVID-19
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OPSEU/SEFPO extends staff’s paid sick days by over 40 per cent, urges others to follow
Toronto – In the face of the pandemic’s third wave, OPSEU/SEFPO has voluntarily given its staff over 40 per cent more fully paid sick days. The extra paid sick days will be in place until the end of the pandemic, or for the duration of respective collective agreements, whichever comes first. “From the start of…
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OPSEU/SEFPO: taking action on occupational health and safety in COVID times
May 2 – 8 marks North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. It’s a time to focus on workplace health and safety and to remind employers, employees and the public about the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community. Immediately following the National Day of Mourning for…
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May Day 2021: the struggle for a better Ontario continues
Each year, millions of workers around the world celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1st. For many workers, “May Day” is a time to celebrate the achievements of the labour movement, including improved employment standards, occupational health and safety legislation and old age security. Born of the fight for an eight-hour workday, May Day has…
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Gratitude and welcome to the nine Newfoundland health care heroes who are here to help
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is sending a hero’s welcome to the nine Newfoundland and Labrador health care workers who have arrived in Ontario to help hospitals deal with the COVID-19 third wave. “On behalf of all 180,000 members of our great union, I’d like to say to these heroes from Atlantic Canada:…
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Media highlight Thomas’s call for paid sick days
One of the many calls for paid sick days by OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is featured prominently in the Toronto Sun’s coverage of the Ford government’s paid sick days announcement on April 28. “When a worker experiences symptoms, they should not have to deal with two levels of government, sort through programs, or file…
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OPSEU/SEFPO stands in solidarity with Peel Region Education Workers
OPSEU/SEFPO stands in solidarity with members of Local 2100, working as Educational Assistants (EAs) at Applewood Acres Secondary School in Mississauga, who put in work refusals last week due to safety concerns resulting from inadequate PPE. While most classes have been closed during the worst waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, those serving students with special…
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OPSEU/SEFPO President calls on Premier to implement ‘simple, seamless and speedy’ paid sick days program
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas sent the following Open Letter calling on Premier Ford to do the right thing and implement a simple, seamless and speedy paid sick days program for Ontario’s workers. With hospitals bursting at the seams, people falling ill and dying in record numbers, Thomas says time’s up for a…
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OPSEU/SEFPO commemorates National Day of Mourning
In Canada, and throughout the world, April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning in honour of workers who have lost their lives, been injured or fallen ill at work. It’s a time to reflect and honour them all. It’s a time to recommit ourselves to fight for a better, safer Ontario. No one should…
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On talk radio, Thomas calls again for paid sick days
OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas reiterated his challenge to Doug Ford to rethink his opposition to paid sick days during a wide-ranging interview with CityNews Ottawa radio talk-show host Rob Snow. “I’m asking the Premier to cast the ideology of his party aside and seriously think about paid sick days,” Thomas told Snow. “Consult with…
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President Thomas is ‘proud to be part of the solution’ as he receives first shot of COVID-19 vaccine
OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says vaccination is Ontario’s best shot at overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, and he’s proud to be part of the solution, receiving his first shot in the arm. Thomas received his first shot on Monday at a Toronto public health vaccination centre. Thomas is encouraging all OPSEU/SEFPO members – and Ontarians…
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President Thomas to Premier Ford: ‘legislate paid sick days for all’
OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas sent the following letter to Premier Doug Ford today. April 19, 2021 Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario Room 281 Legislative Building, Queen’s Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A1 Re OPSEU/SEFPO calling on Ford government to legislate paid sick days for all Dear Premier Ford, This is our third message to…
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A statement from OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas
Chaos is the last thing we need Cornwall. Peterborough. Guelph. Ottawa. Niagara. Peel. Toronto. And now police forces right across the province are refusing to make use of the new powers authorized by the Ontario government yesterday. And with good reason; randomly stopping citizens and ticketing those who don’t comply won’t stop the COVID-19 pandemic.…
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OPSEU/SEFPO questions Ontario government’s new enforcement measures
Toronto – Today the Ontario government tightened restrictions on Ontarians and announced new and arbitrary police powers to detain, question and ticket citizens outside their homes, even those who don’t have one. Solicitor General Sylvia Jones announced new measures to enforce stay-at-home orders to curb rapidly escalating rates of COVID-19 in the province. “Ontarians want…
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Ontario needs a shot in the arm
OPSEU/SEFPO has launched an ad campaign to support Ontario’s vaccine rollout and encourage Ontarians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “It’s undeniable that the COVID pandemic has hurt us all,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It has taken a toll on our economy, on our health, on our well-being, and even on our very lives.…
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National Medical Laboratory Week: Celebrating the highly skilled heroes in our public labs
April 11-17 marks National Medical Laboratory Week. As we face this third wave of COVID-19, there could not be a more fitting time to celebrate our dedicated, highly skilled medical laboratory professionals. OPSEU/SEFPO represents thousands of Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) and Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) on the frontlines in our hospitals, Public Health Ontario and…
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Ontario needs a shot in the arm
As we face wave after wave of this COVID cyclone, it’s no wonder many people feel like they’re treading water just to get by. As the number of COVID cases – and variants – continue to rise, it’s become clear that lockdowns and restrictions can’t keep us afloat. Ontario’s best shot at recovery starts in…
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OPSEU/SEFPO advocacy pays off as education workers granted vaccine eligibility
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the union’s advocacy on behalf of education workers has paid off, with the Ford government extending vaccine eligibility to front-line education workers and teachers. As part of the government’s plan to keep schools open, Ford announced today that special education workers and all education workers in high-risk…
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World Health Day 2021: Building a fairer, healthier world
Every year on April 7, World Health Day is celebrated globally. This year’s theme is ‘Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone’; a call-to-action to eliminate existing health inequities worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Day campaign began in 1948, taking effect in 1950, to raise awareness of global…