Thousands of York University workers could walk off the job July 1

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Thousands of workers at York University could be on strike by Canada Day.

York University Staff Association, which represents administrative, technical and laboratory staff on campus, has been without a contract since July 31, 2021.

Despite meeting with York University 25 times to negotiate, the two sides remain at an impasse.

Back on April 29, York University requested the appointment of a provincial conciliation officer

They then asked for a no-board report “in an effort to bring collective bargaining to a successful conclusion” on June 8 after an agreement once again failed to be reached.

A neutral third-party mediator is now meeting with both sides in an effort to reach a successful conclusion.

As of July 1 at 12:01 a.m., either side could legally walk off the job.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/thousands-of-york-university-workers-could-walk-off-the-job-july-1-1.5951465

Message to members from the OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Executive

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June 3, 2022

Dear OSSTF/FEESO Members,

Yesterday, the Progressive Conservative Party led by Doug Ford won another four-year majority. Though the results did not bring Ontario an education-friendly government, we are filled with pride as throughout the election campaign we saw local leaders and organizers reach new levels of engagement and we are deeply thankful for all your hard work. Each vote, donation, and hour of volunteering made a difference for us as education workers, for the students we serve, and for your local community.

We reached more people and more candidates than ever before, and this matters for our long-term future. We endorsed over 90 candidates and early results show that 37 of them were elected yesterday. All of them are strong advocates and education-friendly leaders we can count on at Queen’s Park.

Many other aspects of this election fill us with hope, especially as we come together and prepare for the next round of bargaining. The majority of voters in Ontario, 53%, did not vote for the Conservatives and instead voted for the three opposition parties who all ran on making major investments in education, lowering class sizes, improving supports for students, and prioritizing people and communities over profits. The people of Ontario overwhelmingly support public education and do not want to see cuts made or an expansion of privatization of education. Yesterday’s election results confirm the level of public support for investing in our public education system.

Our fight is not over. Now, more than ever, we need to remain focused on our most important goals: protecting our rights as workers and strengthening the public education system in Ontario

.Let us celebrate how far we have come and know that together, we can make a difference.

In solidarity,

Catalytic converter theft: What is it and what can you do to prevent it

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In recent years, Canada has seen an alarming rise in the theft of catalytic converters, particularly since the start of the pandemic. Let’s take a look at what a catalytic converter is, why thieves are targeting it, and what you can do to protect yourself against catalytic converter theft.

Read more at www.otip.com/article147.

Doug Ford to host rally at Bingemans as counter-protesters prepare (update)

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Counter-protesters will include the ONA and supporters, along with community activists

Doug Ford Thunder Bay 3
Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

Listen to this article00:02:13

With six days remaining until Ontario votes, Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is hosting a rally in Kitchener Friday night.

Doors are set to open 7 p.m. at Bingemans, and follows an afternoon campaign stop in Oakville for an announcement.

In response, the Ontario Nurses’ Association plans to stage a protest at Bingemans.

It’s inviting nurses, health-care professionals, friends, family and supporters “since Doug Ford refuses to speak with nurses.”

The union is putting the blame on the PC leader and “oppressive legislation” for the ongoing nursing shortage.

“Healthcare has been underfunded for the better half of a decade, but it certainly has worsened for the past, well, three or four years now. We are seeing in Waterloo Region that we are hundred of RN’s short in our hospitals,” said Erin Ariss, the regional vice-president for the ONA.

“Mr. Ford, we need to speak to you. You need to come to the table with recruitment and retention strategies. We need to do something now before it’s too late.”

A group of community members will also hold an information picket and are planning to speak out against Ford’s record on public education, and environment and climate issues.

“We need MPPs who listen to the community,” said Stephanie Goertz, a local resident. https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1529915388577861639&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fkitchener.citynews.ca%2Flocal-news%2Fdoug-ford-to-host-rally-at-bingemans-friday-night-5412807&sessionId=5566b6530c58e6b42148247084bfc0979906f651&siteScreenName=CityNewsKIT&theme=light&widgetsVersion=c8fe9736dd6fb%3A1649830956492&width=550px

A local group, concerned about Ford’s environmental record, will also be holding an information picket outside the event.

“There just hasn’t been enough focus on Doug Ford’s environmental crimes, the fact that his cancellations of climate action programs cost Ontarians hundreds of millions of dollars, while Ontarians meanwhile have had to pay millions to clean up the floods, fires, and storm damage caused by our rapidly changing climate,” Kae Elgie said in a statement.

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/doug-ford-to-host-rally-at-bingemans-friday-night-5412807?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email

Comparing the platforms of the parties to OSSTF/FEESO’s Education Platform

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OSSTF/FEESO’s education platform, Strengthen Public Education – Rebuild Ontario, centres publicly-funded education as a key component in the rebuilding of the province post-pandemic. It recognizes the value of publicly-funded education in the development of strong, healthy, and equitable communities.

Comparing the platforms of the parties to OSSTF/FEESO’s Education Platform

May 28 for OSSTF/FEESO’s ‘Winning Weekend’

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Join us on Saturday, May 28 for events across the province for the OSSTF/FEESO ‘Winning Weekend’.

Electing a government that respects education workers and teachers and recognizes that now is not the time for cuts to education has never been more important. OSSTF/FEESO members, staff, and the Provincial Executive must work together to make changes that will positively impact our students, our working conditions, and society.

May 28 for OSSTF/FEESO’s ‘Winning Weekend’

Advance polls opened Thursday

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And will be open for the next 10 days.

If you want to vote ahead of the provincial election June 2, you can now do so.

Advance polls opened Thursday and will remain open for the next 10 days. Hours are from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

You are asked to bring your voter information card. But you do not need the card to vote. You can bring one piece of ID showing your name and residential address. 

Advance polls in Kitchener Centre are located at:

– Downtown Community Centre (35B Weber St. West, Kitchener)

– St. Stephen Lutheran Church (248 Highland Road East, Kitchener)

– Stanley Park Zehrs (1005 Ottawa Street North, Kitchener)

***
Kitchener-Conestoga

– Breslau Community Centre (100 Andover Drive, Breslau)

– Forest Heights Community Centre (1700 Queen’s Blvd., Kitchener)

– Lions Hall Elmira (40 South Street West, Elmira)

– Wilmot Recreation Complex (1291 Nafziger Road, Baden)

***
Kitchener South—Hespeler

– Country Hills Community Centre (100 Rittenhouse Road, Kitchener)

– Heritage College and Seminary (175 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge)

– Kingsdale Community Centre (72 Wilson Avenue, Kitchener)

***
Waterloo

– Albert McCormick Community Centre (500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo)

– RIM Park (2001 University Avenue East, Waterloo)

– Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo)

***
Cambridge

– David Durward Centre (62 Dickson Street, Cambridge)

– Islamic Centre of Cambridge (1550 Dunbar Road, Cambridge)

– Preston Memorial Auditorium (1458 Hamilton Street, Cambridge)

More information can be found on the Elections Ontario website (elections.on.ca).

Taken from: https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/advance-polls-opened-thursday-5388531?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email

casting a ballot

List of local candidates running in provincial election

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Election campaign officially got underway on May 4.

The provincial election is set for Thursday, June 2.

Elections Ontario is encouraging voters to confirm, update or add their information to the voters list at eregistration.elections.on.ca. Voter information cards will start to be mailed out on May 13.

Voters can cast their ballot by mail, at a returning office, and on election day. You can also vote at any advance voting location in your electoral district during 10 days of advance voting.

Below is the list of candidates who will be running in Waterloo Region’s five ridings:


KITCHENER CENTRE

GREEN: Wayne Mak — website

LIBERAL: Kelly Steiss — website

NEW BLUE: Peter Beimers — website

NDP: Laura Mae Lindo (incumbent) — website

PC: Jim Schmidt — website


KITCHENER-CONESTOGA

GREEN: Nasir Abdulle — website

LIBERAL: Melanie Van Alphen — website

NEW BLUE: Jim Karahalios — website

NDP: Karen Meissner — website

PC: Mike Harris (incumbent) — campaign website not available yet


KITCHENER SOUTH-HESPELER

GREEN: David Weber — website

LIBERAL: Ismail Mohamed — website

NEW BLUE: John Teat — website

NDP: Joanne Weston — website

PC: Jess Dixon — website

There is no incumbent as Amy Fee (PC) decided not to run for re-election.


WATERLOO

GREEN: Shefaza Esmail — website

LIBERAL: Jennifer Tuck — website

NEW BLUE: Volodymyr Voznyuk — website

NDP: Catherine Fife (incumbent) — website

PC: Andrew Aitken — website


CAMBRIDGE


GREEN: Carla Johnson — website

LIBERAL: Surekha Shenoy — website

NEW BLUE: Belinda Karahalios (incumbent) — website

NDP: Marjorie Knight — website

PC: Brian Riddell — website


***Note: Elections Ontario will make a full list of candidates available after May 12***

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/list-of-local-candidates-running-in-provincial-election-5325105?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email

Ontarians can now apply to vote by mail in upcoming provincial election

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If you’re looking to get a head start on voting, there’s plenty of opportunities this provincial election.

As of May 4, applications can be submitted to vote by mail. The deadline for applications is May 27 at 6 p.m. 

Those looking to vote by special ballot can do so at their local returning office from May 5 to 6 p.m. on June 1. 

Advance polls will also be running for a full 10 days later this month from May 19 to May 28. 

You can learn more on how to vote by clicking here.

Election day in Ontario is June 2

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/ontarians-can-now-apply-to-vote-by-mail-in-upcoming-provincial-election-5329932?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email

Contact

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Phone: (519) 884-0710 x2952
Email: wlusaadmin@wlu.ca

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