Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Mark your calendar now for future NAC meetings: November 3, 16
Tentative Agenda:
****Bring your Collective Agreement****
Meetings will be held: 6:00 p.m.
133 Front Street North, Thorold
When an employee is called to an Attendance Management meeting the employer is requesting that the employee and the Union sign the Meeting Checklist.
As the Local is not in agreement with this Program, Union Representative should not sign any forms, but specify on the form, without the following proviso:
“The Union does not support or believe in teh Attendance Management Support Program (AMSP) and will not be signing any forms pertaining to the Program at this time”. Provide signature and Union position.
The employee should be advised that it is their personal decision as to whether or not they sign the form but the Local is recommending that they do not sign.
In Solidarity,
Shawn Wilson
President
CUPE Local 1287
To: OHC Members and Supporters
From: Natalie Mehra, Director
Thank you for giving voice to the key health care issues in the Ontario election. Congratulations on the extraordinary effort by hundreds of volunteers who brought our campaign to life. During the months leading up to the election, we collectively:
Together, we have continued to make the preservation and improvement of our public health system a top issue. No matter what they plan in private, no political party in Ontario will openly campaign on privatizing health care. While this is a good thing, it carries with it some risk. The public thinks health care is protected while, in fact, “back-door” privatization continues and is accelerating. So we need to redouble our efforts to expose the cuts to public health services and the deleterious impacts of privatization.
With a minority government and serious financial issues facing our province, we have a challenging period ahead. We will kick off this new phase with our Assembly and Conference the weekend of November 19 & 20 at which we will provide a thorough briefing on Ontario’s financial situation and its implications for health care. After the briefing and a report-in from affiliates and local coalitions across the province, we will debate and adopt our action plan for the next year. We have sent out registration forms by mail and email. We are expecting several hundred representatives from across the province to attend. Please register soon.
We are proud of the work that we are able to achieve together. We hope you are too! Thank you.
———
October 7, 2011
Health Care Issues Significant in Closest Races of the Ontario Election
Toronto – Health care cuts, particularly hospital cuts, were significant issues for the communities in many of the tightest ridings in yesterday’s provincial election.
The trend in rural communities did not favour Liberal incumbents. Though many factors comprise peoples’ voting choices, the trend against the Liberal incumbents was evident in communities where local hospitals and emergency departments are under threat of closure. In many medium-sized and smaller communities, the local hospital ranks as one of the most important public institutions.
Some examples:
Northumberland – Unpopular cuts to hospital services, including rehab, hospital beds and diabetes care, resulted in a lawn sign campaign calling on Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi to defend his local hospital and stop the cuts. Mr. Rinaldi lost his seat last night.
Sudbury – The planned closure of the Memorial hospital site – and a significant number of hospital beds — has been extremely controversial in this community where doctors and patient groups have vociferously opposed. The Health Minister announced a one-year reprieve in June. Liberal MPP Rick Bartolucci openly advocated saving beds, pushing his own government whose policies favour shutting down the Memorial hospital and closing beds. He narrowly kept his seat last night.
Perth-Wellington — The proposed closure of the St. Marys’ emergency department overnight has spawned a community movement in the affected portion of this riding. Liberal John Wilkinson lost his seat last night.
Niagara Falls – The closure of acute care beds, surgeries and emergency departments in Fort Erie and Port Colborne have been deeply unpopular. Despite his open advocacy against his own government’s hospital cutting policies, Liberal incumbent Kim Craitor faced a difficult campaign. He kept his seat by a very narrow margin.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – The Liberal government has pursued a plan to close the acute care beds and the emergency department at the Wallaceburg hospital. Thousands of residents poured into public meetings and voiced their opposition. Though community opposition has put the plan on hold, the future of the hospital remains under threat. Liberal Maria Van Bommel lost her seat last night.
For more information: Ontario Health Coalition 416-441-2502
Last night, the New Democratic Party made major gains in Ontario, and CUPE members were helping the candidates at every step.
The NDP increased its number of MPPs to 17, its best showing since 1995. This result helped keep the Liberals to a minority government and means that our union will have a strong voice at Queen’s Park. Thanks to the tireless work of hundreds of CUPE members who volunteered on campaigns across the province, the NDP is better poised to bring our issues to Parliament and negotiate hard for them.
Last night also saw history made. Jagmeet Singh became the first New Democrat ever elected in Peel Region. It was a close race, and the huge number of CUPE members who canvassed, put up signs and pulled the vote made all the difference. Our members were also active in the campaign of Taras Natyshak, which resulted in a breakthrough in Essex, and in Davenport where voters chose Jonah Schein. And we helped paint Northern Ontario orange, with the party winning a majority of seats.
Across the province your efforts and the efforts of your colleagues made a huge difference. Thanks to you, we have many new allies at Queen’s Park.
Thank you for taking on this campaign with such zeal.
In Solidarity,
Fred Hahn,
President, CUPE Ontario
*ELECTION ALERT!* * *
*All Candidates Meeting on Healthcare Issues in Niagara Region*
* *
*Monday, September 19, 2011*
*Niagara West-Glanbrook Riding*
*Grimsby Senior Centre*
*Grimsby – 18 Livingston St*
*7:00pm to 9:00pm*
* *
*Tuesday, September 20, 2011*
*St Catharines Riding*
*Port Dalhousie Royal Canadian Legion*
*St Catharines – Port Dalhousie*
*57 Lakeport Road*
*7:00pm to 9:00pm*
* *
*Thursday, September 22, 2011*
*Niagara Falls Riding*
*Gale Centre*
*Niagara Falls – 4171 Forth Avenue*
*7:00pm to 9:00pm*
* *
*Tuesday, September 27, 2011*
*Welland Riding*
*Welland Lions Club*
*Welland – 414 River Road*
*7:00pm to 9:00pm*
* *
*Do you want to know what candidates ideas are for:*
*Nursing Homes or Long Term Care*
*Home care*
*Hospitals*
*OHIP*
*Clinics*
*Healthcare waiting lists*
*etc…*
*The public is invited to ask questions of the candidates on healthcare issues. Come and Ask the Provincial Election Candidates for answers.*
* *
*FREE of charge.*
* *
*ALL welcome.*
* *
*Sponsored by: The Retired Teachers of Ontario*
* *
*Contact: 289 271 6581 or niagarahealthcoalition@yahoo.ca*
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