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.
Download a poster for your window to let front-line workers know that you thank them, stand in solidarity with them, and are demanding protections that will keep them safe and healthy, as they work to keep us and our communities healthy and safe.
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 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…
The Ontario Federation of Labour celebrates the ruling of the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), which found that Foodora couriers must be classified as dependent contractors, allowing the couriers to move forward in their bid to unionize, and commends Foodora couriers on their steadfast commitment to winning decent work in the gig economy. “This is…
The Ontario Federation of Labour is calling on the police to reopen the investigation into the 2016 workplace death of 24-year old Olivier Bruneau. Bruneau died on March 23, 2016, after he was crushed by a block of ice on the worksite. Other confirmed facts from the worksite include that another worker sustained injuries after being struck by…
We are a diverse coalition of 150 national and provincial organizations representing health care providers, non-profit organizations, unions, workers, business, seniors and patients from coast to coast to coast. In November 2019, over 150 of our organizations signed a joint Pharmacare Now Statement calling on all parties to work together to implement universal, public pharmacare within this government’s mandate. We are now calling on your government to make the financial commitments that are needed in this year’s budget to make this program a reality.
(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) affirms its solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation, as they steadfastly defend their territories, and with those who are actively supporting Indigenous sovereignty through protests and blockades across Ontario and Canada. The recent arrests of land defenders is yet another shameful example of Canada’s failure to implement…
The Ontario Federation of Labour condemns the ill-conceived and short-sighted decision of Ryerson University to terminate its operating agreement with the Ryerson Students Union (RSU). The RSU has been instrumental in fighting for student autonomy and student-led change on campus for 72 years. “This is an attack on student union autonomy and the right for…