A History of CUPE Local One

The following is a brief account of the evolution, tradition and the long history of CUPE Local One. Here are some of the events and accomplishments that make up the CUPE Local One we know today.

1913
The outside workers of Toronto Hydro are organized by the IBEW, (as far as we can tell) Local 353 which was a Craft Union. Membership included other Hydro, Bell and inside wiremen workers.

1914
Major labour dispute and strike. Issues go to arbitration under the Industrial Disputes Act of the time.

1915
Employees give notice canceling 1914 agreement. The entire dispute went back to arbitration resulting in a “split” Board decision with the Dept. of Labour and the Union Reps filling a Majority report and the Company reps filling a Minority report. The Board findings were not binding and the Commissioners of the time adopted the Minority report.

1914 to 1918
Membership of Local 353 and the American based Electrical Union headquarters have a major dispute over transferring various classifications into separate Craft Unions.

1920
Negotiations with Toronto Hydro which culminate in conciliation under the Industrial Disputes Act and results in a majority award, and 15% increase, the first increase since the 1914 strike.

1921
Formation of Canadian Electrical Trades Union CETU Local 1 Toronto. with a membership of over 1200 comprising of workers of THES. TEL, TNT, TTC and Bell Telephone. This organization was based on industry and all workers in a plant were accepted into membership in the same local. It was one of the first industrial forms of organization in the electrical field.

1922
CETTJ suffers a severe set back losing 500-600 members to the Bell Telephone Plan Council Association.

1924
The founding of the National Union of the CETU in Niagara Falls. with representatives from Local and independent Unions from across Canada.

1945
Local 1 of CETU becomes Local 1 of the National Organization of Civic. Utility and Electrical Workers and later Local 1 of the National Union of Public Service Employees.

1963
We became Local 1 of CUPE the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

ABOUT US

At CUPE Local One we believe in strong worker representation, good working conditions and fair and equal treatment by the employer. Workers have a right to come to a workplace free of harassment. We believe in a membership that is highly informed and ready to stand up for its rights at any time. Our union works hard to keep its members, the labour movement at large, and the public up-to-date with our Bulletin and campaigns.

Presently we are fighting the deregulation, competition and ultimately privatization of Toronto Hydro. Our view of the utility is that it remain publicly owned and controlled. At Local One we firmly believe in quality public services and will fight to defend them. This is why CUPE Local One opposes deregulation and has mounted a fight back campaign to educate our members and the public. Other unions are accepting deregulation as a fact of life.

CUPE Local One believes in being part of the larger labour movement in Canada. This connection is crucial to fight the huge battles we face.  Our affiliation to the National Union is an integral part of our strength as a union. Our National Union is the only truly national all-Canadian union. The Canadian Union of Public Employees is the largest union in Canada with over 460,000 members nationwide.

CUPE Local One currently has over 1,500 members.  Our union office is staffed by a full-time President, Vice-President, Health and Safety Representative and Office Administrator.

CUPE Local One is a leader in collective bargaining in this province. Bargaining priorities and tactics are decided democratically by the members of our union.  CUPE Local One members have stood solidly together to make gains in collective bargaining.  Contract after contract we have made significant gains.