Workers at Canadian Observatory on Homelessness join CUPE
TORONTO – The staff of a leading homelessness research and policy organization, the
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, became members of the Canadian Union of Public
Employees (CUPE) following a Labour Board decision yesterday.
The workers, who are joining CUPE Local 3903, voted overwhelmingly to form a union on
April 5. Workers initiated the union drive because of low wages, inadequate benefits, and
concerns around a lack of supports as they perform emotionally taxing work.
The Observatory conducts research into solutions to homelessness and is affiliated with York
University, where CUPE’s membership already includes more than 3000 academic and
support workers.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union, with 750,000 members
across the country. CUPE represents workers in health care, emergency services, education,
early learning and childcare, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportation,
airlines and more.
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For more information, contact:
Craig Saunders, CUPE Communications | 416-576-7316 | csaunders@cupe.ca