The CUPE 1287 Niagara Regional Municipal Workers Strong Public Services – Strong Communities campaign is about connecting people to the work that keeps our communities running and to one another. At its core, the campaign focuses on public and member engagement, recognizing that strong communities are built when people understand, value, and protect the public services we all rely on.
Through this campaign, CUPE 1287 is actively engaging the public to raise awareness about the essential services our members provide every day, from supporting families and vulnerable populations to maintaining critical municipal operations. The campaign also highlights how chronic underfunding and government decisions impact service quality and community well-being, and how legislation can affect everyone in the region—regardless of social status, workplace, family structure, or political perspective.
As part of this outreach, CUPE 1287 has connected with more than 250 local businesses, community organizations, all Niagara Regional Councillors, and unit employers to discuss the campaign, build relationships, and request donations. These conversations reinforce the shared responsibility we all have in protecting public services and strengthening our communities.
Alongside public outreach, the campaign places strong emphasis on engaging union members. Internally, CUPE 1287 is reinforcing the importance of solidarity within the labour movement and the power of standing together, regardless of education level, employment status, or personal differences. By fostering unity, members strengthen their collective voice to address wage disparity, social inequities, and the privatization of public services.
The campaign also highlights the direct connection between fair wages, healthy communities, and shared prosperity. When workers earn fair wages, the benefits extend beyond the workplace—supporting local businesses, encouraging reinvestment, and strengthening the social fabric of our communities. This commitment to community care is reflected in action. As part of the campaign, Niagara Region CUPE 1287 members and community supporters have come together to collect non-perishable food donations, which will be delivered to the Hope Centre, demonstrating how collective action and solidarity create real, positive change.
Through public education, active engagement, and community-focused action, the Strong Public Services – Strong Communities campaign reinforces a simple truth: when workers stand together and communities are engaged, everyone benefits.