BURNABY—Talks initiated by the Community Social Services Employer’s Association aimed at reaching an early collective agreement have ended without a deal.

Attacking the wages of the lowest earners in Ontario’s hospitals may have an emotional appeal to CEO’s self conscious about their own income levels, but it will not fix Ontario’s economy or the ballooning deficit, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) President Michael Hurley said today in response to calls by Champlain LHIN’s CEO Dr. Robert Cushman and Ottawa area hospital administrators for a government imposed wage freeze on hospital workers.

BURNABY—Unions in the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) are concerned that an approach from employers for early talks is already stumbling, and the possibility of an early settlement may not materialize.

Canadian private and public sector union leaders are calling on Stephen Harper to lead the global effort for an ambitious and binding agreement in Copenhagen.

Customer service agents working for Cathay Pacific in Vancouver have chosen to join CUPE.

We may have a fossilized government in Ottawa but all across the country people are working for a green future. We took the opportunity today to build relationships with government and labour partners and to learn from examples around the world.

The CUPE delegation in Copenhagen for COP 15 reports on Day 5 from the United Nations Conference on Climate Change

Call Harper and Prentice Now! The world is watching and hoping for real action on climate change. We need to push the government to negotiate an agreement this week in Copenhagen.

The tension is mounting, the concern is palpable around the Bella Centre. Negotiations between the Parties are not going well. We need the Heads of State to recognize that this is the moment to take action to save the planet. And, the world is looking at Canada with increasing anger and frustration.

CUPE Delegates work with delegates and activists from around the world in Copenhagen

VANCOUVER – CUPE and other health unions in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) are at the table this week with the Health Employers’ Association of B.C. CUPE bargaining committee member Pat Taylor said the bargaining team will be negotiating hard “for an agreement that addresses the serious issues facing community health workers in B.C., especially given the current economic climate.” The current collective agreement expires on March 31, 2010.

Background and Terms for the UN negotiations on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish Environment Minister tells lobbyists and observers to keep the pressure on governments in order to end the week with an agreement.

Fred Hahn, new President of CUPE, Ontario’s largest trade union, was as relieved as families in Northern Ontario by the last minute decision by Ontario Child & Youth Services Minister Laurel Broten, for an infusion of funds preventing the planned December 14th shut down of the Payukotayno James and Hudson Bay Family Services.

VANCOUVER —The CUPE 873 bargaining team is set to meet with representatives of the BC Ambulance Service Wednesday and Thursday. Talks for a new collective agreement started last week.

It is clear that the public sector is key to effectively and equitably dealing with the impacts of climate change as well as taking the steps to transition to a green economy.

An incredible day - 100,000 people in the streets of Copenhagen marching for Action on Climate Justice.

The CUPE delegation in Copenhagen for COP 15 reports on Day 5 from the United Nations Conference on Climate Change

VANCOUVER – CUPE BC’s provincial executive, which is meeting in Vancouver, applauded the joint work between school trustees, parents, teachers and staff in response to serious government underfunding.

The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that part-time employees are entitled to holiday pay for statutory holidays even when they aren’t scheduled to work.