As summer draws to a close, the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee continues to build momentum in support of Jewish union members and allies across the country. This newsletter brings exciting news about the launch of our new website, an important request to help us strengthen our communications, and updates on our ongoing efforts to confront antisemitism in the labour movement. From preparing for the ETFO Annual Meeting to supporting educators organizing in their locals and workplaces, our work continues to grow, as does the network of union members committed to ensuring Jewish voices are heard, respected, and represented.

The CJLC Team

We have a new website!

When the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee launched in 2024, we created a website to help spread the word about who we are, and what we do. As we have grown and evolved - now with connections in 66 unions across Canada - we determined it was time to update our website. We are thrilled that our new website has launched with updated information, a more streamlined format, and plans for further improvements to come. Check it out here, make it a favourite, and keep coming back for more.

Important: Update your information with us, help us to improve communications

As a part of our website launch, we are asking all subscribers to this newsletter to take a moment to update your contact and union membership information at the bottom of our homepage. Even if there are no changes to the information you first gave us, filling in this form will only take a minute and will greatly assist us as we work to enhance our communication with Jewish union members and allies across the country who have joined the fight against antisemitism in the Canadian labour movement.

BDS comes to Elementary Teachers of Ontario (ETFO)

Even though schools are closed for summer break, Jewish education union members continue to work on developing strategies to combat antisemitism in their locals and at the provincial level.

Jewish members and allies who are delegates to the ETFO Annual Meeting held an initial organizing get together in early July, with three more planned ahead of the Annual Meeting which begins on Monday, August 17- August 20. Among the motions being considered this year, ETFO will debate whether to sign on to the Boycott Divest and Sanctions campaign, a racist endeavor that singles out Israel with sanctions that are both anti-worker and antithetical to the human rights and equity values this union purports to uphold.

Organizing against antisemitism and antizionism in educator locals

At the local level a number of ETFO and OSSTF members are working with CJLC to organize at the local level in preparation for the coming year of union meetings. Jewish members are developing strategic plans to ensure their voices are heard at committee meetings, general membership and council meetings and rep meetings. In addition, with the support of CJLC, Jewish teachers in the public education system are filing human rights complaints about antisemitism in their unions,  in their schools, and in their boards. Together we are developing and implementing strategies, using union bylaws, meeting rules of order and other union structures to ensure the mainstream Jewish voice is heard - and listened to. If you would like to get involved in organizing or working with others in your union’ local to combat antisemitism in your union and/or board of education, please contact us and we will work with you to make that happen.

Are you a delegate to the ETFO AGM?

If you are an ETFO member who is a delegate or alternate to the Annual Meeting and you would like to work with us in opposition to the adoption of BDS among other important motion we will focus on, please contact us and our education labour advisor will be in touch with you.