“We are in solidarity with Sri Lanka’s students, education workers, and trade unionists”: CUPE Ontario condemns the government’s violence in the face of legitimate mass protests

Human RIghts, International Solidarity

CUPE Ontario, representing over 280,000 workers in Canada’s largest province, is adding its voice to the call for the government of Sri Lanka to end its repression of students, teachers, and trade unionists in the country. On September 25, the Sri Lankan police violently dispersed hundreds of demonstrators a day after severely curtailing protest rights…

“We Must Reach Beyond Partial Liberation”: CUPE Ontario celebrates Emancipation Day 2021

Human RIghts, International Solidarity, Racial Justice

One hundred and eighty-seven years ago today, on 1 August 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act took effect marking the legal end slavery across the British Empire. The Act emancipated over 800,000 enslaved Africans across the Caribbean and South America. As educator and historian Natasha L. Henry notes, many enslaved Africans in British North America received…

“Recognizing and extending solidarity”: CUPE Ontario’s statement for Asian and South Asian Heritage Month

International Solidarity

Asian and South Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in May since the 1990s and was formally recognized by the Canadian government in 2002. The occasion is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of people of Asian descent while recognizing the struggles and unique histories of these communities. Although Canada likes to present itself as…

CUPE Ontario sends message of solidarity to Indian farmers

International Solidarity, Solidarity

Following the largest protest in human history, demonstrations have continued across India for nearly 50 days, with solidarity actions around the world. CUPE Ontario is proud to build on the solidarity statements of our National Union and to pledge our active support for the hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers impacted by devastating changes to agriculture laws. Passed by…

“Speaking up for freedom of speech and human rights everywhere”: CUPE Ontario’s Statement on Bill 168

International Solidarity

The proposed legislation, Bill 168, introduced by conservative MPPs Robin Martin (Eglinton—Lawrence) and Will Bouma (Brantford—Brand) with the misleading title “Combating Anti-Semitism Act,” is an assault on the freedom of speech of Ontarians that must be defeated. Many concerns have been raised regarding Israel’s human rights record of offences against the Palestinian people, and it…

Free CUPE member Cihan Erdal!

CUPE 4600 member, Cihan Erdal was arrested on September 25th by Turkish police on unspecified charges related to social unrest in 2014. Erdal is one of 82 people issued arrest warrants in relation to alleged incitement of protests in 2014 which were violently repressed by Turkish police. These arrests are part of a broader effort…

Full Immigration Status for All

COVID-19, International Solidarity

We, CUPE Ontario, join the Migrant Rights Network in calling for full and permanent immigration status for all, without exclusions. COVID-19 has exposed deep inequalities in our society. The fault lines are gendered and racialized: the worst impacts are being felt by women and in Indigenous, Black and Brown communities. Those most impacted have received the least support. Meanwhile, large corporations…

World Refugee Day 2020

International Solidarity

Saturday, June 20th is World Refugee Day. Today, we reaffirm our solidarity with refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and internally displaced people worldwide. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that at least 70.8 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes in recent years. Among them are nearly 25.9…