News

The labour movement is devastated by the loss of Sister Megan Whitfield, who passed away suddenly on May 24. The OFL mourns with all who knew her.
Sister Whitfield was the first Black President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ (CUPW) Toronto Local, the largest local of CUPW. She played a key role at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), where she was a core member of the Executive Board, Executive Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee. At the OFL convention, she co-chaired the convention resolutions committee.

Government’s ill-advised plan to allow employers to conduct COVID-19 testing puts public health at risk and must not proceed, says the Ontario Federation of Labour. “Ontario’s public health care system is staffed by well-trained, dedicated health care professionals who can do the job. The pandemic requires the government to strengthen the public health care system,…

The proposal in a memo from the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services that workers in congregate care settings use cloth masks instead of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) violates the Occupational Health and Safety Act, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.

This list was last updated on May 1, 2020. Please note that this is a working document and will be updated frequently.  For more information on OFL’s advocacy for workers during the COVID-19 crisis click here. Below is a policy timeline on COVID-19 for reference and sharing. The OFL will continue to monitor policy changes…

In advance of the May 1 #FixLTCFord online day of action, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) and unions representing Ontario’s health and long-term care workers demand the Ontario government implement stronger controls in home care, long-term care, retirement and community care facilities. Labour calls on the government to end the growth of precarious work…

Equity-seeking communities must be central in the development of Ford government economic recovery plans. Ontario must commit to collaboration with labour to ensure the inclusion of equity-seeking groups, says the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL).

On the National Day of Mourning we remember workers killed on the job, or who have suffered occupational injury, illness or disease. This year, the Day of Mourning has a particular resonance as we remember the workers who have recently died of COVID-19, and in the line of duty protecting communities in Nova Scotia.  In…

During all three phases of reopening Ontario’s economy, the government’s Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee must include the Official Opposition, and consult with workers and the unions that represent them, says the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL).  “Decisions related to economic recovery and a safe return to work in Ontario need to be made in…

SENT VIA EMAIL Hon. Monte McNaughton Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development 14th Floor 400 University Avenue Toronto, ON M7A 1T7 Dear Minister McNaughton, RE: Health and safety of front-line workers must be a priority. We are concerned about recent reports that Ministry inspections in response to work refusals related to COVID-19 are not…

The OFL is pleased to hear Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement that the government of Canada has reached an agreement with GM where the company will retool its unused plant in Oshawa for the production of much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for Canadian workers. “The GM plant in Oshawa can be a made-in-Oshawa, Ontario, Canada solution…

The OFL mourns with the families, friends, coworkers and communities of the people murdered in Nova Scotia on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

Governments at every level must do more for workers and their families. When it comes to rent relief, the cancellation or abatement of rent, evictions, and utility payments, are what is needed.

The people of Ontario were looking for stability, and assurances that vital public services like health and long-term care, and social assistance received funding increases that would meet the demands and pressures of COVID-19. In this rapidly evolving crisis, it is not clear that today’s economic and fiscal update has risen to meet those needs.

This page was last updated March 25, 2020 Below is a list of resources on COVID-19. This list includes the OFL response to Ford’s emergency legislation, demands for workers during the pandemic, a fact sheet outlining short-term and long-term actions to avoid the harm that the virus can bring to your health, and an important timeline…

“The Premier continues to say that workers should ‘stay home when [they] are sick,’ when he knows very well that it is impossible for workers to follow that directive if they do not have paid leave and other supports,” said OFL President Patty Coates. “Ontario is only as healthy as the most vulnerable person in our province.”

SENT VIA EMAIL Hon. Premier Doug Ford Hon. Christine Elliott Hon. Rod Phillips Hon. Monte McNaughton Dr. David Williams Dear Premier, Ministers and Chief Medical Officer of Health: Further to your announcement this morning regarding forthcoming emergency legislation to assist workers and those impacted by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, we respectfully request that the Government…

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. It is transmitted in much the same way as the flu. This fact sheet outlines short-term and long-term actions to avoid the harm that the virus can bring to your health and to the people in your communities. Click here for other information and labour resources on…

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) urges Ontario’s government to take immediate action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our province by providing at least seven paid sick days and ten days of job-protected, paid emergency leave for all workers. In addition, immediately scrap the law that allows employers to require workers provide a…

Ontario Conservatives launched their war on women the moment they took office.  March 8 is International Women’s Day. What better time to take a look at the PCs abysmal record on women’s issues? The most recent misogynist attack came Thursday, when the government withdrew $1 million in extra funding for rape crisis centres, money that…

(le français suit) A coalition of Ontario unions, coordinated by the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), and representing approximately 270,000 employees and over forty different unions, announced today that they have filed a constitutional challenge to Bill 124, the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act.  Bill 124 violates the collective bargaining rights enshrined…