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Ontarians are fed up with the Ford government’s failure to support the working people of Ontario, and they will be telling him so on Wednesday, June 3 with the Ford Failed Us Province-wide Day of Action, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.

From taking action in their communities, to sending a letter to their MPP, to asking questions of the Premier in a People’s Question Period, the workers of Ontario will tell the PCs that they have failed Ontarians.

The Ford Conservative’s infectious disease emergency leave rules should increase worker protections, not remove access to severance and termination pay as workers struggle to navigate the pandemic, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.

The Ontario Federation of Labour is outraged and demands action, in solidarity with Black, Brown, Indigenous and all communities of colour, in the fight to end racism and white supremacy and joins the call for a full investigation into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet.  “Over and over again, we see the lethal effects of over-policing…

The Ontario Health Coalition sent an open letter to Premier Doug Ford signed by family councils, health professionals, social organizations, cultural organizations, seniors’ and retirees’ groups, health coalitions, legal clinics, and many others who collectively represent more than 1.5 million Ontarians. The OFL is one of the signatories to the letter. The letter is below. If…

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.

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…