More than 100 trades workers from across Ontario gathered this week for CUPE Ontario’s annual Trades Conference, where they sent a clear message to Labour Minister David Piccini: stop undermining public sector trades workers.
During the conference, held at the Sheraton Parkway North in Richmond Hill, delegates participated in a coordinated action urging Piccini and the Ford government to reverse their policies that are driving skilled tradespeople out of public services.
“A lot of folks don’t realize that CUPE Ontario represents thousands of tradespeople, working in every corner of the public sector,” said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario. “These workers keep schools open, hospitals running, and communities safe, yet the provincial government is taking them for granted.
Hahn added that serious questions continue to surround Piccini’s conduct as minister.
“Both the OPP and the Auditor General have investigations underway involving this minister. Allowing Piccini to remain in cabinet while those questions remain unanswered undermines trust in government and in the fragile labour system he oversees,” Hahn said.
“Piccini’s track record speaks for itself” said Chris Yates, chair of CUPE Ontario’s Trades Committee. “While the labour minister sits front row at hockey games and strip clubs, there is a mass exodus of skilled tradespeople, forced to leave public service for livable wages in the private sector. How is this in the public’s best interest?”
Conference delegates called on Piccini and the Ford government to commit to real investment in public sector trades in the upcoming provincial budget.