CUPE Ontario is devastated to learn that at least three CUPE members were among the victims of Monday’s horrific vehicular assault near Mel Lastman Square in Toronto.
CUPE 4400 member, Renuka Amarasinghe, was killed in the attack. Renuka was a single mother and a Nutrition Services worker who had worked at a number of Toronto District School Board schools since 2015 – most recently at Earl Haig Secondary School. Renuka was also a well-loved member of the Scarborough community.
CUPE 3904 member and Chief Steward, Amir Kiumarsi, remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital. Amir is a chemistry instructor at Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education and has served as the Chief Steward for Unit 2 for the past four years.
CUPE 79 member Amaresh Tesfamariam, a registered practical nurse at Fudger House, was gravely injured and remains in critical condition at Sunnybrook Hospital.
Our hearts are broken for Renuka’s son, family and friends, and for the members of Local 4400 who have lost a comrade; and we send our best wishes and hopes for Amir and Amaresh’s full recovery.
A gofundme page in support of Renuka’s son, Diyon, is available at the following link: www.gofundme.com/helpdiyontoday
A gofundme page in support of Amir’s family is available at the following link: www.gofundme.com/amir-kiumarsi
A gofundme page in support of Amaresh is available at the following link: www.gofundme.com/toronto-attack-funds-for-amaresh-t
We will provide further details when we have them.
In the face of this horrible tragedy, we encourage everyone to take time to show your love and appreciation for all the people in your lives. The time we get with each other is so precious. We should never take it for granted.
Times of difficulty like this, remind us all of the importance of our solidarity and our support for one another in the large, extended family that is our union.
Yours in Solidarity,
Fred Hahn Candace Rennick
President Secretary-Treasurer
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