Last summer, in the middle of a renewed and massive global movement to affirm that Black Lives Matter, CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members, in recognition of the moment of reckoning we’re in, took the step of echoing a call of Black health leaders. We joined them in insisting that the Government of Ontario to immediately declare Anti-Black racism a…
This Black History Month the CUPE Ontario Racial Justice Committee will be mailing posters to all locals who request them. Please note that locals may only order a maximum of 40. Click here to read our statement on Black History Month. You can submit your request by filling out the form on this page. Your…
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions and legacy of Black people in our communities, across the province, as well as in our union. It is a time to recognize the importance of resistance in the struggle for racial justice. It is also a time to be mindful of the deadly perils…
On Jan. 29, 2017, a gunman entered a mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim Canadians during a prayer service. Six worshippers were killed and 19 were injured. We will always remember Mamadou Tanou Barry, Azzedine Soufiane, Abdelkrim Hassane, Ibrahima Barry, Aboubaker Thabti, and Khaled Belkacemi. The shooter expressed anti-Muslim, and…
Today, we remember the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honour his teachings by weaving the struggle for racial and economic justice into all our work as a union. Our annual commemoration of King’s legacy comes at an important crossroads in history. As it stands the world is gripped by twin pandemics—not only COVID-19,…
Members of CUPE Local 4914 who work at Peel’s Children’s Aid Society (CAS) have been on the frontlines in their communities, keeping children and families safe. They are also on the frontlines in the fight to address anti-Black racism in our workplaces. On behalf of the 280,000 members of CUPE Ontario, we express our full…
Today we celebrate Emancipation Day, which marks the legal abolition of slavery in Canada on August 1, 1834. Ordinarily, we would be marking Emancipation Day at Carnival, which is both a celebration of Caribbean culture and a symbol of resistance against oppression. But even though we need to practice social distancing this year, Emancipation Day…
Our communities are getting through this crisis, and will thrive on the other side, because of the efforts of front-line workers. These are the workers in our long-term care facilities caring for the elderly; in group homes caring for people with disabilities and providing a range of supports for the most vulnerable; in our towns and cities, providing…
(TORONTO, ON) – Workers at The Leap, a Canada and US-based organization focused on the intersecting crises of climate change, inequality and racism, voted unanimously to join Canada’s largest union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). “We’re very excited that workers at The Leap have made this decision,” said Kristy Davidson, a CUPE representative…
The Government of Ontario must immediately declare anti-Black racism a public health crisis, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, echoing a call by a coalition of Black community health leaders. “Anti-Black racism has undeniably harmful effects on Black Ontarians,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario. “We need to name what happens to Black people when it comes…
