CUPE is Ontario’s union for healthcare workers
- CUPE’s Health Care Workers’ Coordinating Committee (HCWCC) brings together local unions representing more than 60,000 members in Ontario’s hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care, CCACs and emergency services. Of these, about 30,000 are employed in long-term care facilities, home care agencies, community care access centres, and community health centres like yours.
- The HCWCC co-ordinates bargaining, and campaigns to improve working conditions and the quality of public health care.
- For more information about CUPE’s advocacy in the health care sector, please visit the CUPE Ontario healthcare sector page.
CUPE is a democratic member-run union
- CUPE is highly decentralized and supports autonomy to each of its local unions.
- In CUPE, the members are in charge. Local unions in CUPE have democratic control over their activities. Members decide, at regular membership meetings, on issues that are important to the local and the membership.
- The local union is run by its own elected members. Each CUPE local decides its priorities for bargaining, when to settle a new contract, and how to manage funds. CUPE’s strength comes from individual members working toward common goals, like improving wages and benefits, better health and safety conditions, and improving your workplace environment overall.
CUPE has a sustained record on social justice
- CUPE has a strong commitment to equality and diversity within the workplace and within our union.
- In Ontario, we have committees designed to strengthen and amplify the voices of folks from equity-seeking groups, including the Indigenous Council, Human Rights Committee, International Solidarity Committee, Pink Triangle (2SLGBTQI+) Committee, Racial Justice Committee, Workers with Disabilities Committee, Women’s Committee, and Young Workers Committee.
- These committees also exist at the national level.
- Members of all these committees are elected democratically by CUPE members.
- CUPE is also committed to bargaining language on equality issues, including domestic violence prevention and support, Truth and Reconciliation, and rights for members with disabilities and folks with HIV/AIDS. Check out our national site on Bargaining Equality to learn more.
- We apply an equality lens to broader issues, like pensions and health & safety, where marginalized workers face additional challenges.
CUPE Local 4891 represents workers at Regeneration House and has a proven track record of success in securing and maintaining a strong collective agreement for our members there.
CUPE has long expertise in bargaining, and a solid track record of taking existing contracts and improving on them. Through bargaining and campaigns, we make gains for everyone.
Your new workplace is made up of very different workers and very different working conditions. CUPE will work with you to ensure no one is left behind.
Get in touch! If you have questions, concerns or ideas, we want to hear from you:
Liisa Schofield / CUPE National representative 416-899-6445 lschofield@cupe.ca
