CJLC February 2025 Newsletter

The Canadian Jewish Labour Committee (CJLC), made up of Jewish members across multiple provincial and federal unions, has been working closely with Jewish workers across the country since its official launch on September 3, 2024.  Guided by our mission statement, we continue to focus on the pressing issues of combating antisemitism within the union environment as well as advancing inclusive policies.

Union Convention Update

• Most unions have annual conventions. Conventions are events where elected representatives and local members meet to discuss, debate and vote on key policy matters impacting the union. This includes setting future priorities, passing resolutions, and electing leaders. This is the union’s highest decision-making authority.
  
  
• Getting to convention takes time and preparation at your local level. Now is the time to start looking into when your union’s annual convention is and then speaking with your local on how you can get there as a voting delegate.
  It is imperative to have mainstream Jewish voices at the table!
  
  
• OPSEU and CUPE Ontario are actively preparing for their respective conventions. If you have questions about how you can get educated and involved, please contact CJLC!

Union Actions, News and Wins!

• Brock University:
  Recently we told you about an attempt to pass a motion against "Scholasticide in Palestine" by the Brock University Faculty Association, with actions of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel and Israeli Universities. Brock University Jewish faculty and allies were able to mount a robust response and lead the debate that was extended into a special meeting in January. On January 30, in an electronic vote of the membership, this motion was defeated by an almost 2:1 margin, with an unusually high 77 percent of members casting their votes. This is a decisive victory for those Association members who developed a strategy and a set of actions to expose BDS and defeat it. Congratulations to the Brock U Faculty Association and to the Brock Coalition Against Antisemitism (BCAA), the organizers of the push-back against BDS."
  
  
• Jewish OPSEU members are currently preparing and mobilizing for an official callout meeting for a Jewish Caucus, at the end of February. This is the result of the successful passing of a Jewish Caucus resolution in late 2024, originally put forward by Jewish members and allies earlier in the year at Convention. There was much opposition and lack of consultation with Jewish members by leadership, causing the resolution to languish for many months. However, the continued advocacy of the Jewish members held leadership to account, and they look forward to having a recognized voice in OPSEU.  
  
  
• CUPE Ontario released a concerning statement for International Holocaust Remembrance Day that saw the tokenization of fringe antizionist groups to support their anti-Israel narrative. Over 30 members organized and sent letters to the CUPE National and CUPE Ontario executives to let them know that groups like Independent Jewish Voices, who represent the views of less than 3% of Jews, do not speak for their members and it rather perpetuates antisemitism within CUPE.

CJLC Education

• Sessions are ongoing for several members of unions and faculty associations, providing education and strategic planning for action in the push back against antisemitism.
  
  
• If you are a public service worker of the Government of Canada, there is a new online course available that addresses antisemitism in the workplace.  

Stay Connected!

If you or someone you know is a Jewish union member in Canada, connect with the CJLC and stand strong with other Jewish union members. Together we must act to foster safe places for Jewish people in labour unions. Join us at www.canadianjlc.ca.

Stay connected with CJLC! Follow us on social media for the latest news, updates and actions. Join the conversation and be part of our community!