TORONTO—Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario, (CUPE) wants legislation that caps total compensation including wages, for public sector workers to only one percent repealed.
Known as Bill 124, CUPE views it as “Constitutional violation- legislation”.
“The Ford Conservatives have simply done nothing to deal with the skyrocketing cost of living,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario. And worse, when the Ford Conservatives passed Bill 124, the Charter violating legislation, they capped total compensation, including wages for public sector workers to only one percent. In light of historic inflation which is now 7.7% that amounts to a real wage cut for front line workers, like personal support workers, caretakers at universities, and so many others.”
Hahn believes that until Bill 124 is repealed, the Ford government cannot negotiate fairly. Hahn has joined three front-line workers to help renew a campaign to oppose this law.
According to, Frederica Pottinger, developmental service worker and member of CUPE local 2191, many of her coworkers are having to work at two or three jobs to be able to pay daily expenses and bills. “As a precarious worker one of them works at a school during the day and does the overnight shift at Community Living. I honestly don’t know how they do it-and I don’t think they feel like they can keep doing this much longer.”
Lisa Barker, RPN, and member of CUPE local 1943, also shared her concerns about the consequences of Bill-124. “Let’s be real: it’s predominantly female workers who have had their wages capped by Bill-124, while predominantly make workers, like police officers and firefighters, were exempted. Those of us who are nurses, nutritionists, personal support workers and development service workers, like Frederica save lives and provide care as much as anyone else.”said Barker.
A service worker at the university of Toronto, and president of CUPE local 3261, feels the huge constraints of Bill-124, because the cost of living in urban cities like Toronto is so high. “We need better wages in order to keep up with this city. We need better better wages now," said Allen James.
There is a definite consensus among front line workers that Bill-124 will hinder fair negotiations and are affecting their ability to provide for themselves and their families, now.
