CUPE promotes public service workers in new campaign
CUPE National has created a website in order to highlight the positive contributions of public sector workers in Toronto. Read More Read More
This Thursday: Telephone Town Hall
This coming Thursday evening, at 6:30 p.m., CUPE Local 79 President Tim Maguire will be hosting a telephone town hall meeting for all members who work for the City of Toronto. The meeting is to talk about contract negotiations. During the meeting, you will be able to ask questions and make comments, just like in a radio call-in show. The meeting will last about 45 minutes. All you have to do to participate is answer the phone when we call this Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. If... Read More
Rallying with CAW Local 27/Caterpillar workers
On Saturday, September 21st, 2012, a group of Local 79 members boarded a bus headed to London to join thousands of others in a rally to support members of CAW Local 27. These workers have been locked out by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), a subsidiary of U.S.-based company Caterpillar, best known for manufacturing farm and construction equipment. Electro-Motive Diesel is demanding that workers accept a 55 per cent pay cut, elimination of benefits, and significantly reduced pensions.... Read More
Local 79 celebrates Lunar New Year
In 2012, Lunar New Year begins on Monday January 23rd and is the Year of the Water Dragon. The date changes according to the Lunar Calendar and is always determined by the second New Moon after the winter solstice. Each year is designated by one of the 12 Animals (Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit) These twelve highly symbolic animals of the Chinese Zodiac were each adopted to represent a different lunar year, making reference to each... Read More
After the Budget: the fight to protect public services continues
Now that the dust has settled from City Council’s January 17th vote on the 2012 Budget, it’s time to review what services were saved at the last minute, what has been lost and what’s ahead. Prior to Budget day some program funding had been restored for community centres, student nutrition, pools, arts & culture grants and sidewalk clearing. At the special Budget Council meeting on Tuesday, January 17th other programs and services were restored – until next year’s... Read More
CUPE runs ads promoting civic employees
CUPE has launched a TV ad profiling just a small portion of all the important work that its members do to keep Toronto a strong and vibrant city. Read More Read More
January 2012 President’s Report
Dear Fellow Local 79 Member: First of all, I would like to wish you a happy and healthy New Year. This is a very special year for Local 79 as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary! A group of City of Toronto employees began to organize Local 79 in 1941, seeking better wages and working conditions. The Trades and Labour Congress issued a Charter to the Toronto Municipal Association Local 79 (now CUPE Local 79) on March 23, 1942. I would like to take this opportunity to thank former... Read More
Toronto residents want services preserved, think Ford is on “wrong track:” poll
TORONTO, ON -A majority of Toronto residents want city services maintained, even if it means increased fees or taxes, says a new poll by Environics research. The poll shows 64 per cent in favour of continued funding for public services. Read More Read More
Mitzie Hunter appointed new CEO of the Greater Toronto Area CivicAction Alliance
The following is a letter to Mitzie Hunter congratulating her on her recent appointment as the CEO of the Greater Toronto Area CivicAction Alliance, and stressing the importance to Local 79 of forging strong working alliances with other organizations and individuals who share common goals regarding our city. Read More Read More
Prime Minister Harper must defend workers locked out by Caterpillar Inc.
The following is a letter to Prime Minister Harper protesting the current lockout of the workers from the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 27 by Electro-Motive Canada (EMC). Read More Read More