-

CUPE and OPSEU members to hold press conference and march demanding Bill 124 wage justice and long-term funding for community and social service

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With more than 60 frontline community and social service agencies ramping up their coordinated bargaining campaign in the weeks ahead, CUPE and OPSEU members will bring stories of the impact of Bill 124’s wage suppression and chronic underfunding for their services to Queen’s Park.

More than 30 locals have already taken strike mandate votes and dozens more are planned in the coming days by workers from both unions in the Worth Fighting For coordinated bargaining campaign. Workers are fighting to secure stable, long-term funding that invests in community and social services and finally provides workers meaningful wage increases, after the injustice faced under Bill 124

Following the press conference, there will be a march with hundreds of CUPE and OPSEU members to several ministries responsible for delivering these life-changing programs.

WHAT: Worth Fighting For press conference & march

SPEAKERS: Juanita Forde, Developmental Service Worker and chair of CUPE Ontario’s Social Services Workers Coordinating Committee

Keenan Aylwin, Harm reduction worker

Chrisy Tremblay, Children’s Aid Society worker and Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Children’s Aid Society Sector

Cindy Mazan, Developmental service worker

JP Hornick, President of OPSEU and Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, will also be available for comment

WHERE: Queen’s Park Media Gallery

WHEN: Thursday, October 23, 9:00 AM

:LAP/COPE491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Eric Bell, CUPE Communications Representative
(306) 580-0893 | ebell@cupe.ca

Jolene Cushman, OPSEU Communications
(416) 518-2368 | jcushman@opseu.org

Canadian Union of Public Employees


Release Versions

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Eric Bell, CUPE Communications Representative
(306) 580-0893 | ebell@cupe.ca

Jolene Cushman, OPSEU Communications
(416) 518-2368 | jcushman@opseu.org

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

CUPE congratulates Avi Lewis on becoming new leader of Canada's NDP

WINNIPEG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE congratulates Avi Lewis on his election as federal NDP leader at the party's convention in Winnipeg. As Canada's largest union, CUPE is ready to get to work with Avi and the NDP to strengthen public services, fight corporate greed, and build a fairer and more equitable Canada. "The Liberals and the Conservatives are in lockstep when it comes to worsening inequality and eroding public services. It’s clear there is no progressive future in Canada without a strong N...

Unionbusting and safety concerns continue at Rockcliffe Flying Club as CIRB delays certification

Ottawa, ON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workers at the Rockcliffe Flying Club filed to join CUPE in December 2025 after raising concerns about workplace culture and aircraft safety. Instead of respecting those concerns and letting workers exercise their right to join a union, the employer has responded with delay, pressure, and retaliation. What should have been the straightforward certification process is still not finished, nearly four months later. In that time, workers say the employer has used the de...

TCDSB Ends Beloved Language Program After 50 Years, 77 Jobs Lost

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday the Toronto Catholic District School Board announced that they will completely eliminate its long-standing International Languages Program, resulting in 77 dedicated language instructors losing their jobs. “This is a devastating and short-sighted decision,” said Val Di Gregorio, President of CUPE 3155, representing the language instructors. “For decades, this program has enriched students’ lives, strengthened communities and supported cultural connections....
Back to Newsroom