Building worker power

Over the past term, Local 79 members have shown what an organized union can win. We secured historic contracts, built a union that is present and representative in every workplace, and began dealing with City Hall as equals, from a position of strength.

Just as important, more of us now believe that by acting together we can change our working lives. This platform is about growing that power and making Local 79 the most powerful local union in the country.

The next round starts now

Every contract is won before we reach the table, by members organized in every workplace. We will build toward the next round of bargaining with every employer.

  1. February 2027Hennick Bridgepoint Nurses and Paramedical Units
  2. July 2028Hennick Bridgepoint Service Unit
  3. Fall 2028TCHC, TSHC and the City of Toronto

Our plan

Six commitments, each built on what members have already won. Open any of them to see what we will do.

The most powerful local union in the country

In an economy that is increasingly challenging for working people, we will organize every workplace toward the next round of bargaining.
  • Organize toward the next round with every employer, starting with the Hennick Bridgepoint Nurses and Paramedical Units in February 2027, then the Hennick Bridgepoint Service Unit in July 2028, and Toronto Community Housing, Toronto Seniors Housing and the City of Toronto in the fall of 2028.
  • Keep bargaining in the open, with updates to the whole membership after every session at every table.
  • Keep our member organizing strategy running across more than 700 worksites, so members can take on issues with their employer between rounds as well as at the table.
  • Build on our most recent historic bargaining wins by raising the bottom up, bargaining strategically to keep closing the gap between our lowest-paid members and everyone else, since percentage increases favour those who already earn the most.

A democracy built on participation

Our democracy depends on members having real places to take part.
  • Expand the spaces where members take part to include committees, organizing, elections and monthly local events.
  • Introduce steward elections, so that the steward body is accountable to the members it represents.
  • Quorum at every general membership meeting, so members review the books, approve the minutes and vote on every budget.
  • Organize members to take part in their divisional town halls and labour-management meetings.

Worker power in every workplace

Members should feel the union's strength where they work, not only at the bargaining table.
  • Revitalize the steward body by bringing more members into the role, with the goal of representation in every workplace, so that every member gets assistance in a timely manner.
  • Keep holding labour-management meetings in every division and with every employer, each one preceded by a town hall where members set the agenda.
  • Continue to hold the employer to account and challenge any invasive policy or process.

Taking action together

When members act together they win, and this term has proved it.
  • Back worker-led campaigns at every worksite, from petitions and letter-writing to button actions and public actions.
  • Win wage increases between bargaining rounds whenever members organize for them, just as Historical Interpreters, Parks Forepersons and TCHC Toronto Service Coordinators won raises this term through job evaluation.
  • Work with our communities and the public to build support for workers and the services our members provide.

Open books

Members' money stays open to the members it belongs to.
  • Keep the books open and keep expanding financial transparency for every member.
  • Report quarterly on the Defence Fund, also known as the Strike Fund, and on the Operations Fund.
  • Use our expanded complement of trustees to meet audit requirements and stay eligible for CUPE National cost-sharing, which has brought the Local more than $1.25 million so far.

An inclusive space for every member

This Local must be an inclusive space where every member belongs, above all the members who need it most.
  • Create space for mentorship and leadership development, and a strategy to involve younger members and members' children.
  • Hold monthly themed meetings that bring different equity-deserving groups together.
  • Bring trainings usually organized through CUPE Ontario in house, so that many more of our members can take part in them.
  • Overhaul and reorganize our committees so they make sense for our current membership and its needs.
  • Open the Health and Safety Committee to every member and organize Local 79's own Health and Safety Conference.
  • Provide education opportunities for members on their rights at work, including the right to refuse unsafe work, and on the WSIB process and long-term disability claims.

We are united in our commitment to

  • Keep bargaining for moreBetter material outcomes for every member, round after round.
  • Build on our winsUsing our most recent contracts as the floor, not the ceiling.
  • Demand healthy and safe working conditionsIn every workplace, every day.
  • The public on our sideEngaging our communities to support workers' causes.
  • Hold the employer to accountChallenging invasive policies and processes.
  • Grow with our membersResponding to the changing needs of a diverse membership.
  • Keep growing this LocalPositive changes, driven by members to meet the demands of our time.

Vote Monday, November 23

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