CUPE 1521

Reminder, reminder. See you at 5pm!

We are currently experiencing issues with our Member communication system, which means we have not been able to send a reminder regarding our GMM.

REMINDER! We will be meeting on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at the Loeb Centre, 161 Donald Street.

Please note, there is a slight change to the scheduled start time for the meeting. We will be starting at 5pm!

This week's agenda will include a byelection for the positions of Chief Shop Steward and Trustee (3 year term). We will also be discussing a planned Holiday Social and a Budget Committee.

Just released!

Note: there will be a byelection for the positions of Chief Shop Steward and Trustee during this meeting.

Working today and can’t join us?! A little something, something was dropped off this morning.

Thank you to Maverick's Donuts, Kanata for the donuts and the donation.

Today’s the day! Photo booth, cotton candy, popcorn, henna, yard games, and more!

See you soon!

CUPE 1521 50th Anniversary Celebration
11-3
Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, Britannia Beach

Final day!

✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

Hey! We know her.

✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

One of the best parts of this week - building solidarity between 1521 and 1521-01!

This is the first in person Convention for all five of our delegates. A week of building strength in mutual struggle, while working hard to inform and guide the future of our union.

✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

Day four of CUPE National Convention in Quebec City.

Critical conversations around representation happening this morning, including debating constitutional amendments that mean expanding the table to make space for all voices.

Kicking off day three of CUPE National Convention in Quebec City with elections for National Officers.

Mark Hancock is acclaimed for National President. Candace Rennick is acclaimed for National Secretary-Treasurer.

Experiencing the wisdom of Jean Bonald Golinski Fatal, President, Public and Private Sector Workers Confederation in Haiti.

Some highlights:

“Fighting for public services is more than a right, it’s an obligation.”

“A country where unions are weak is a country where people’s dignity is destroyed.”

“You are the engine for democracy. There is no democracy without unions.”

Sara and Andrew representing 1521-01 on day two of CUPE National Convention in Quebec City! Excited to be building solidarity this week.

Kicking off CUPE National Convention today in Quebec City. This year we have sent five representatives, a combination of 1521 and 1521-01, to join delegates from across the country.

Excited to be part of the process to inform and guide the direction and future of our union from coast to coast to coast.

✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

We are so excited to be celebrating 50 years of CUPE 1521 with you and your family! Join us on October 29th at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre for a day of carnival themed food, games, activities, and music.

Please note, due to overwhelming interest the deadline to RSVP is now October 20. Please send the following information to secretary AT cupe1521 DOT com by October 20.

-The number of adults attending
​-The number of children attending
​-Food choice (burger, veggie burger, or hotdog AND caesar salad or coleslaw)
We have had a number of questions raised about the event, so sharing our responses here:

Is this an outdoor event?

This is weather dependent! We have the option of being indoors or outdoors, however we are currently planning to be indoors.

Can I bring children?

Yes! This is a family friendly event. We want to celebrate with you and your families. When RSVPing, please indicate in the email how many children will be attending.

Can we bring supported individuals to this event?

Unfortunately, no. This is about celebrating 50 years of our proud union history. While there won't be any boring union orientations, this is about creating a space for camaraderie and solidarity. We have been stronger together for FIFTY years, that deserves to be celebrated.

Can't get coverage? Scheduled to be the coverage? Don't worry! We will be sending out a little something something for those on shift on the 29th.

How much does it cost to attend?

Nothing! This is a free event for you and your family.

“Award winning organizations don’t grind their workers into exhaustion.”

Skilled & dedicated CUPE Local 2936 members deserve their share of recognition as Community Living Oshawa/Clarington is named Not-For-Profit of the Year by Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
CLOC management, otoh, has dragged out bargaining with staff for more than a year, while developmental service workers struggle with burnout and the sky-high cost of living.
Award-winning organizations don’t grind their workers into exhaustion.

As an update to our post yesterday, the site listed below *will* give you access to your email inboxes however it does appear that our platform is not sending emails to your Member emails. We are aware that emails continue to go out to the personal emails that have been provided to us.

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and frustration.

If you would like us to update your profile with a personal email in the interim, please email president AT cupe1521 DOT com.

As soon as the issue is corrected on our end, we will let you know. Our sincere apologies again.

We are currently experiencing issues with our website, which we are aware is impacting your ability to sign into Member Mail. We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration as we work through this issue.

For direct access to your email, please visit:

app.membermail.ca

Login details remain the same. Forgot your login credentials? Please email president AT cupe1521 DOT com.

FIFTY (five oh) years!

Inviting you and your family to join us for the celebrations on October 29th.

Please RSVP to secretary AT cupe1521 DOT com by October 13 with the following information:

-Number of adults attending.
-Number of children attending.
-Food choices for each person (choice 1: burger, veggie burger OR hot dog; choice 2: caesar salad or coleslaw).

Today the Ontario Federation of Labour and unions are joining with groups/organizations from across the country to stand up to hate.

If you have the capacity, please consider joining the counter protest today in front of the Supreme Court.
Join the Fight Against Hate: Stand Up for Love, Care, and Respect

The ultra-conservative right has organized nationwide events under the pretext of protecting children, while their true aim is to protest the teaching of 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools.

We are all acutely aware of the danger posed by these messages of hate, and it is our collective responsibility to respond with unwavering unity. Our mission is clear: to counter these protests and demonstrate unequivocally that there is no place for hate within our society. We shall stand together, resolute in our commitment to combat lies and misinformation while championing love, care, and respect.

We are calling upon every CUPE Ontario member to take action, sign up for a protest near you using the link provided, and actively spread this message within your community and local union. Mass participation in these protests is essential to our cause.

Together, let's make our presence felt, countering false rhetoric, exposing lies, and proudly declaring that Canada has no tolerance for hate or discrimination. We stand as a united front, strong and unwavering in our commitment to a society built on love, understanding, and acceptance.

No Space For Hate | The Ontario Federation of Labour We are ready to say Enough is Enough; there is no space for hate in...

See you there.

Pride + gratitude.

Happy Developmental Services Appreciation Day + Week!

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

CUPE Developmental Services members have joined together with OPSEU/SEFPO members to leverage our collective power to demand better working conditions and to address the staffing and retention crisis.

We are demanding that the government fix the crisis in developmental services. The Ford government has manufactured this crisis by underfunding the sector and ignoring the workforce crisis. Individuals with developmental disabilities are now waiting decades for supported independent living programs.

Developmental services workers have had enough. It’s time to act!

Take action:

1) Sign the letter and tell MCCSS minister Michael Parsa and Premier Ford to fix the crisis in developmental services!

2) Share the letter with coworkers, friends, neighbours, and online.

3) Join the rally at the Michael Parsa’s constituency office, 13085 Yonge St #201, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3S8, on June 19, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

4) Watch CUPE Ontario’s social media channels during DS Appreciation Week and share their posts that tell our stories

5) Look out for campaign updates as we hold meetings over the summer and plan a massive rally at Queen’s Park in November

We are 20,000 CUPE and OPSEU/SEFPO working to make a lasting difference in people’s lives – it’s life changing work! Together we can win!

Join us!

It's Life Changing Work – Developmental Services Developmental services workers play a critical role in our communities, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to live with dignity and independence.

See you on Wednesday.

Hittin’ your inboxes tonight.

Hey Everyone, You are going to see a campaign coming to raise awareness of the work that we do. This comes with us needing your voice! Please take a trip over to itslifechangingwork.ca and PLEASE fill out the petition. We need to get this out and have our voices heard!! We really need your support here. Let's show them that Developmental Services MATTER!!

It's Life Changing Work – Developmental Services Developmental services workers play a critical role in our communities, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to live with dignity and independence.

Look at that CUPE 1521 representation!

An incredible few days at Convention - leaving re-energized in the fight for safe, equitable, and respected developmental services across Ontario.

The final day is here.

The changes made to the CUPE Ontario Action Plan better reflect the struggles we are experiencing across the Sector. Local 1521 is thankful to the Committee for their commitment to the Developmental Services sector.

Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles speaking to the 1000 delegates at the CUPE Ontario convention. Her first mention... Developmental Services Workers!!! Thank you so much, Marit, for acknowledging our sector, which is so often forgotten!!!! ✊️✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

This morning’s keynote speaker - Leader of Ontario’s NDP, Marit Stiles, getting the delegates on their feet.

Members of the DS Sector spoke to the close to 1000 delegates at the CUPE Ontario convention on the ongoing challenges we are all facing.

Our President Alyssa gave an empassioned speech which prompted a visit from CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn to discuss how CUPE Ontario can support our sector.

Today is Injured Workers day. Let’s take a moment to reflect on all injured workers and their contributions to the workforce!

Opening day of CUPE Ontario convention.

“Ask a developmental service worker why we put up with top-heavy agencies that continue to hire managers instead of investing in front-line service providers and you’ll hear that this work is a calling. But something has to change.”

An Op-Ed published in the Ottawa Citizen today by the Presidents of the four Ottawa-area DS Locals:

Opinion: These 'invisible' Ottawa support workers deserve better. So do their clients People with developmental disabilities aren't getting the services we can provide, due to a system that is under-funded and under-resourced.

2605 is back at the table, in conciliation, today! Solidarity forever.

✊🏻✊🏽✊🏿

National Day of Mourning is a day to pause and remember those that we have lost, or who have been forever changed by workplace injury or illness. It’s a time to recommit ourselves to ensuring every worker returns home whole. We continue the fight for better protections. Remember that workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility. Stay strong. Stay safe.