Together We Are Stronger!
its that time of year again when the unions of Thunder Bay get together and have a picnic
again this year, COPE local 96 will have a tent set up with swag to be given out
please come and enjoy the activities and meet your fellow union brothers and sisters from all unions of Thunder Bay
To: Members of the CLC Canadian Council
Ontario Labour Councils
Greetings,
As you are all likely aware, the membership of Unifor working at 27 Metro stores in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario began strike action this week.
In an effort to support those workers on strike, we have seen a few calls for people to either boycott Metro stores in those geographic locations or across the entire chain, including other banner stores such as Food Basics.
While those calls for a boycott are well intentioned, they ignore the fact that there are multiple unions who represent workers at Metro stores that remain at work, covered by active collective agreements. Instead, calls to respect picket lines at the specific struck workplaces is the more appropriate message.
As a reminder, the CLC has a boycott policy which is designed to avoid any potential conflicts between affiliates.
Workers across Canada (and the world) have been feeling the downward pressures against them and are exercising their power – the right to withdraw their labour. We in the labour movement will continue to support workers in their rights, in solidarity with each other.
Workers, united, will never be defeated!
In solidarity,
Bea Bruske
President
We are pleased to introduce ourselves to you as the new Political Action Campaign Organizers for COPE Ontario. We’re here to work with local leaders, stewards, committees, and members (of course!) on the pressing issues in our union.
We’re currently focused on (but not limited to) four main areas :
– Violence in Education
– Privatization of Healthcare
– Pay Equity
– Bill 124
We’ve already started working on these campaigns and, over the coming months, you’ll be hearing from us (and seeing us) more often as we roll them out across the province. We’re also restarting the COPE Ontario Political Action Committee, which you can sign up for below.
June marks Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is an opportunity for Canadians to recognize and honour the rich history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) peoples in Canada who continue to flourish despite past and ongoing oppression.
During Indigenous History Month, we celebrate the incredible contributions of FNMI peoples to society such as the artwork of Norval Morrisseau and Annie Pootoogook, the music of Jeremy Dutcher and Aysanabee, the filmmaking of Alanis Obomsawin, the writings of Lee Maracle, and so many others.
In addition to celebrating these trailblazers, National Indigenous History Month also presents an occasion for us to reflect upon the ongoing work that must be done toward Truth and Reconciliation.
In its 2022 Truth and Reconciliation accountability report, the Yellowhead Institute noted that two Calls to Action were completed in 2022, bringing the total completed calls to 13 out of 94. “At this rate,” they observe, “it will take 42 years, or until 2065, to complete all the Calls to Action.
As Indigenous History month begins, we encourage you to celebrate, learn more, reflect, and take action.
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
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.
a message from COPE Ontario – Health Care sector
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 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