Posts published in January 2026

At 6:30am this morning, Ville de Montréal outside workers gathered for a protest organized by the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301). Protesters first gathered at the corner of Dickson and Souligny streets, then moved in front of the Ville de Montréal’s administrative offices on Saint‑Denis Street. They denounced the toxic environment the employer has created at the bargaining table, which is stalling progress and eroding trust between the parties.

“There’s a disconnect between the political rhetoric we’re hearing and what’s actually happening,” explained CUPE 301 President Jean-Pierre Lauzon. “Elected officials talk about working together to reach an agreement quickly, but the tone is quite different at the bargaining table. We’re getting new demands now, after over a year of talks, and that’s frustrating. We can’t bargain under these conditions.”

As the bargaining climate continues to deteriorate, CUPE 301 is announcing it will escalate pressure tactics to send a clear message and push towards a negotiated agreement. A demonstration will be held next week.

“Today, we’re firmly saying that as long as the city doesn’t change its approach at the bargaining table, the pressure will continue to rise,” Lauzon added. “A demonstration is planned for next week and, if need be, a strike will follow.”

Last September, CUPE 301 members voted 98% in favour of pressure tactics up to an unlimited general strike.

The collective agreement with the Ville de Montréal’s outside workers expired on December 31, 2024. The parties have held more than 21 bargaining and 8 mediation sessions.

CUPE 2380 members are warning that Town Council’s plan to restructure Penetanguishene’s water and wastewater operations will lead to higher costs for residents and a loss of local control over the community’s most critical services.

In December, council announced it is considering either merging the water and wastewater departments or contracting a third-party operator. According to CUPE 2380, both options point toward the same outcome: outsourced jobs and poorer quality services.

Water and wastewater are distinct systems that require highly specialized licensing. Without a years-long investment in training and recruiting dual-licensed operators, any attempt to merge the departments is destined to fail—leaving outsourcing as the only remaining option.

CUPE 2380 president, Megan Varga, says council is using an alleged workforce crisis to justify a predetermined solution.

“Town Council says they’re responding to staffing challenges, but they haven’t released the report or data they’re relying on,” said Varga. “They’ve manufactured a problem and are putting their finger on the scale to reach the outcome they want, which is to outsource jobs. Residents deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to services as vital as water. This plan delivers neither.”

The union points to other municipalities in the region that have contracted the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) and experienced significant cost increases. In neighbouring Tay Township, water rates were already higher than Penetanguishene’s before OCWA was brought in and have since climbed to two or three times what Penetanguishene residents currently pay.

As a profit-based agency, OCWA has less incentive to invest in long-term maintenance and infrastructure. While OCWA does not set water rates directly, municipalities are often forced to raise rates to cover the costs of OCWA’s service model, including major upgrades and system replacements.

“We’ve seen this story before,” said Varga. “Hydro was privatized and bills went up. Policing was transferred to the OPP and costs far exceeded what residents were promised. Water is too precious to outsource.”

Varga emphasized the importance of local accountability, noting that municipal water operators live in the community they serve. That is the message she will deliver to council during their Wednesday meeting.

“These workers drink the water. Their families swim in it,” she said. “That connection matters. Instead of contracting workers who have no ties to the community, council should be investing in highly skilled local workers.”

Council announced its plans the same day bargaining was set to begin with CUPE 2380. Members are calling on residents to make their voices heard and urge Council to protect good union jobs while keeping water services safe, affordable, and locally accountable.

The Alberta Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Alberta) has launched an online campaign calling on Premier Danielle Smith to declare a health care state of emergency.

The campaign, located at www.stateofemergency.ca has already collected 9,000 names of Albertans who have sent emails to the Premier calling on the province to declare an emergency.

Last week, the Alberta Medical Association called for the declaration to give health officials more tools to handle overflowing hospitals and emergency rooms.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal, herself a health care worker, pointed to the death of a 44-year-old man at Grey Nuns hospital after waiting eight hours to be seen by medical personnel. There was another case where an elderly patient with influenza waited four days on a stretcher for care.

“There have always been problems in health care, but those problems are worse than ever, and they fall on the laps of the UCP government,” said Uppal. “They have shortchanged funding every year since taking office in 2019, they have blown up the system into multiple confusing organizations, and they have replaced the board of AHS more times than anyone can keep track of.”

Uppal also pointed to the cancellation of new health care projects, like a much needed hospital in southwest Edmonton.

The campaign website is allowing Albertans to post their stories about negative health care experiences. Among those posted include the following:

“Between Christmas and New Year’s, a resident in my friend’s building spent 36 hours in terrible pain waiting for a bed. He had to go out in freezing temperatures to lie down in his vehicle to alleviate the pain, while his wife remained in the emergency waiting room to hold his spot”
Esther, Red Deer

“I have breast cancer, it took me 7 weeks to get the results from my second surgery.”
Alvina, Sylvan Lake

“I live in a small rural community and we are without our emergency department on many occasions due to a Doctor shortage. I have to wait two to three weeks to get into see my local Family Doctor. We need help in rural Alberta. Can you please help us?!”
Wendy, Killam

“I spent 7 hrs in Foothills ER on Jan 14 to be diagnosed with a broken ankle. I witnessed the chaos and overwhelming situations our care givers are dealing with. My care was exceptional given the circumstances. Danielle Smith you MUST DO BETTER.”
Irene, Calgary

My grandpa died because of your government. He had internal bleeding, but they couldn’t get him a room, they couldn’t get him tests to find the bleeding, fast enough because of this crisis YOUR government caused.”
Jenn, Blackfalds

More testimonials can be viewed at www.stateofemergency.ca

Negotiations between CUPE 2268 and 3730 – representing education support workers in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division – have hit a stalemate over wages. The locals have filed for impasse as per The Saskatchewan Employment Act.

CUPE 2268 represents education, administrative, and technical support staff, while CUPE 3730 represents service support workers. Each local is at its own bargaining table with the employer, but both have reached the same sticking point: wages.

Both locals have worked tirelessly to secure a fair deal that reflects the rising cost of living and the financial strain on their members.

“Our members provide direct support to students, teachers, and other staff. They play an integral role in students’ everyday success. Unfortunately, many of our members must take on second, and sometimes third, jobs to pay for household bills and groceries,” said Teresa Hitchings, CUPE 2268 President. “It’s time for fair compensation that keeps pace with inflation and supports families.”

Mediation dates have been confirmed for both locals. CUPE 3730 will meet with the employer and the mediator on January 26, followed by CUPE 2268 on January 27. CUPE 2268 and 3730 remain committed to meaningful negotiations with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools to reach an agreement that reflects fairness and equity.

“In an environment where continuously increasing workloads and understaffing have become the norm, all we’re asking for is a fair, negotiated wage that reflects the reality of the work we do and the level of service we’re providing,” said Wayne Harriman, CUPE 3730 president. “We are ready to work through mediation to secure a fair deal that recognizes our value and addresses wage issues.”

CUPE has written to Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu with a clear message: Canada’s child care system is one of the most important public programs in a generation – and it’s at serious risk already.

In a letter sent earlier this month, CUPE National President Mark Hancock and National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick expressed how the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program has already made a real difference in the lives of millions of families. Fees are coming down, wages are improving, and families are finding real relief. This is what happens when governments listen to workers and invest in care as a public good.

However, $10-a-day child care is at risk. No level of government has invested enough to recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver child care to all the families who need it. Several provinces have failed to meet the target of $10-a-day average fees by 2026. Now, instead of investing in expanding universal access, some provinces and the federal government have begun finger-pointing and threatening to resort to failed policies to flow more funding into private coffers instead of strengthening public and not-for-profit care.

CUPE is calling on the federal government to urgently recommit to the principles in the Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act to keep child care public and not-for-profit, and invest in the people and infrastructure that have made this program a success.

Read the full letter here.