Blog Posts

During the month of June, we celebrate Pride Month by honouring, uplifting and recognizing the vibrant and diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has fought for acceptance, inclusion, and civil rights for decades. Pride began in the 1970s as a protest and will continue to be a protest until equal rights and justice are received for all. In solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, COPE Ontario will continue to support future protests, movements and fights for justice and equity.

In 2023, we saw a resurgence of unacceptable actions, hate speech and violence against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, specifically trans people, drag queens and Black, Indigenous, and racialized members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. According to Statistics Canada there has been a 64% rise in hate crimes targeting sexual orientation across Canada since 2020. This increase reflects a fight from prejudiced and discriminatory people trying to strip the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities of their rights. These groups under attack are at the forefront of the fight for justice, equality and acceptance and we will continue to support and uplift the voices of those that are under attack.

COPE Ontario condemns these injustices and will continue to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to create inclusive and safe workplaces and environments. COPE Ontario supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to continue to push forward in the fight for equity for all, and we will not stop until justice, civil rights and equality are upheld.

As members of a union spanning across a wide variety of public and private sectors, we must continue the fight to eliminate hate and inequalities from our workplaces, our communities and in all areas of society.

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Enclosed you will find application forms for the “Jack Elwert” Bursary Award which is sponsored by COPE Local 96.

There will be three (3) Bursaries of $350.00 each given out.

To be eligible for this Bursary the student needs to meet the following criteria.

1. Applicant must be a child of COPE Local 96 member.

2. Applicant must be currently registered in Grade 12.

3. Applicant must:

• Provide a copy of current transcript
• Attach completed application form
• Write a 500-word essay in your own words on who Tommy Douglas was and what he did to improve the lives of Canadian workers
• Provide proof of acceptance into post-secondary institution

Jack Elwert Bursary Letter and Application to Members2023

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century. The earliest version was purportedly a “Women’s Day” organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference to propose “a special Women’s Day” be organized annually, albeit with no set date; the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women’s Day across Europe. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917 (the beginning of the February Revolution), IWD was made a national holiday on March 8; it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The holiday was associated with far-left movements and governments until its adoption by the global feminist movement in the late 1960s. IWD became a mainstream global holiday following its adoption by the United Nations in 1977.

International Women’s Day is commemorated in a variety of ways worldwide; it is a public holiday in several countries, and observed socially or locally in others to celebrate and promote the achievements of women.

The UN observes the holiday in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women’s rights. In some parts of the world, IWD still reflects its political origins, being marked by protests and calls for radical change; in other areas, particularly in the West, it is largely sociocultural and centered on a celebration of womanhood.

womens day (French)

womens day

a message from COPE Ontario – Health Care sector

January 23 – privatize hospitals (French)

January 23-private hospitals (English)

COPE Ontario has instituted a regular health care report for COPE members
four (4) times a year. The health care report will keep COPE members
updated on the changes occurring in health care and the impact of changes
on COPE health care workers.

to view the entire document
please click on the link

COPE Health Care Report -Janaury 2023

COPE Local 96 Christmas supper is BACK!

After a two-year hiatus, we are back
We will be having our supper at the Knights of Columbus, 301 May Street South
The event is open to current and retired members of Local 96
$10.00 per ticket (retirees as well)

Symposium 6:00 pm
Dinner 6:30 pm

If you are in need of tickets, please contact your local unit VP

Thanks

COPE Ontario, as well as Local’s 96 and 81 (our members over at Alstrom)
have moved our offices to the West Arthur Place on Arthur Street East

our new address is

COPE Local 96
1265 East Arthur Street
Suite 600a, P.O. Box 42
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5H7

our phone number is the same

Below are the names of your new Executive Board for COPE Local 96!

PRESIDENT: Rob Bell
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: Tracey Robinson
TREASURER: Bonnie Cava
SECRETARY: Heather Del Ben
VP TBRHSC: Ann Forget
VP LU: Alexis Paulusma
BARGAINING CHAIR NCU: Susy Augruso
SARGEANT AT ARMS:

COPE Local 96 has received concerns from our members about workplace health and safety. The Executive Board has discussed Covid 19 and debated these issues thoroughly and feel the best way to protect our members is to follow the advice of the public health experts, protect personal privacy and promote healthy workplaces while defending our members rights.

The executive board is committed to following Public Health’s advise. The board is committed to keeping our members and their family’s safe. The Executive Board reaffirms its support for personal health choices and the protection of people’s personal medical. COPE Local 96 will always defend its members and advocate for appropriate PPE and effective policies to ensure their health and safety in the workplace.
COPE Local 96 supports the rights of an individual’s personal health choices and protection of private and personal medical information.

COPE Local 96 Executive