Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

It is convention season for unions across Canada. Union members and activists gather to vote on decisions that will guide their union for the following year. Sadly, CJLC sees unions spending significant time and resources on the divisive political ideologies of the loud and radicalized members of unions, rather than focusing on core union business that impacts all members.

This was most evident at the Canadian Labour Congress’ (CLC) convention held last month in Winnipeg, MB. When the news came out that the Canadian Council (committee of union leaders who determine the CLC’s strategic direction) would not be endorsing Labour For Palestine’s antisemitic “hot cargo” campaign, the hardliners turned to social media, using abusive and weaponized catchphrases to belittle the democratic process used by the Canada Council.

This was followed by failed attempts to bring back the resolution to the convention floor. When a different “Support Palestine” resolution was brought to the floor, the antizionist faction proposed an amendment to direct the CLC to “cut ties” with Histadrut, Israel’s largest union organization, similar to the CLC. To be very clear – union members in Canada voted to disaffiliate with union members in Israel. The heart of every union is solidarity with the working class - unless one of those unions is Israeli, apparently. The amendment passed although it is largely symbolic. The CLC has never had direct ties with Histadrut. Delegates were duped into thinking they were engaging in activism, but in reality, they accomplished nothing. It was a financially expensive waste of union resources that only reinforced the message that Jewish members are not valued.

The Expansion of Jewish Caucuses. Two feel-good stories.

OPSEU: In April 2026, the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union’s (OPSEU) Jewish Caucus, which was voted into existence in 2024, had its first public presence at this year’s Convention. The members set up an information booth alongside all the other equity-deserving caucuses of OPSEU. It was so popular that the Jewish Caucus ran out of promotional items to hand out. Five hundred buttons were worn by members and allies on the convention floor. An overwhelming number of allies came forward to share their support and sign up to receive the Caucus’ email updates. Allies and other Jewish OPSEU members shared personal experiences within the union and within their own lives. Connections were made and for the first time, Jewish Caucus members felt seen and heard and supported in their union.

AMAPCEO: That same month, members of AMAPCEO (Union for Ontario’s Professional Employees) learned from their Union’s executive board that they would support their submitted business plan to form a Jewish Caucus. Formalizing the Jewish Caucus was expedited by the executive board who s recognized it on April 29th: “AMAPCEO is pleased to be able to welcome the Jewish Caucus” in time for Jewish Heritage Month (May).

CJLC extends their congratulations to the Jewish Caucus and their new leadership, along with special recognition to AMAPCEO’s Board of Directors for facilitating the process and supporting the formation of the Jewish Caucus.

If you would like to try to set up a Jewish Caucus in your union, reach out to us at [email protected]

Education unions in Ontario

Over the past few months, Jewish teacher and education worker members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) have been working to raise their voices within their respective unions, both locally and provincially.

In the lead up to the OSSTF Annual General Meeting (AMPA) held in March, Jewish delegates worked together to develop a floor strategy to both combat and advance certain motions. Asoften happens, other motions took up all of the floor time and the motions Jewish delegates focused on never hit the floor. The Jewish delegates are continuing to organize for a more vocal presence in local council meetings. If you’re interested in helping to raise the Jewish voice in your ETFO or OSSTF local, please contact us..

In ETFO, Jewish delegates continue to work together to raise concerns about antisemitism and antizionist hate in the union. Recently with the support of CJLC, Jewish members and allies of the ETFO Toronto local were successful in gaining support for a number of motions to go to the Annual Meeting to be held in August. The group is now beginning will to organize and prepare for that meeting. If you are a delegate to the 2026 ETFO AM and would like to work with us, please reach out to the CJLC

Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ)

Recently CJLC participated in organizing a very successful in-person event featuring MAAZ founder Adam Louis Klein as our keynote speaker. We then moved into breakout groups based on sector - labour, education (JK-12) and post-secondary - to engage in focused discussion about how to use the MAAZ approach to fighting antizionism, the modern incarnation of Jew-hate. If you would be interested in having a MAAZ speaker present to members in your union, reach out to us and we will help to organize an online seminar. To learn more about MAAZ, visit their website