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Posts published in October 2025

CUPE stands in solidarity with union members aboard the Freedom Flotilla

Published October 10, 2025

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 800,000 workers across Canada, stands in full solidarity with CUPE members Mskwaasin Agnew (CUPE 7797) and Sadie Mees (CUPE 2329) who were aboard the Freedom Flotilla and were detained this week by Israeli authorities.

Mskwaasin Agnew is a Cree/Dene health care worker and harm reduction practitioner at Street Health in Toronto. Sadie Mees is a library worker at the Public Library in St. John’s, NL. 

The ship they were aboard, The Conscience, was intercepted as they, alongside dozens of other workers, journalists and human rights defenders, attempted to peacefully break the illegal siege of Gaza.

Over 1050 health care workers in Gaza have been killed, and over 500 have been detained since October 2023. Earlier this year, Israeli forces executed a convoy of fifteen medical and emergency workers in Gaza.

According to the UN, at least thirteen libraries were destroyed or damaged in Gaza within the first six months since October 2023.

CUPE calls on the Canadian government to secure the safe return of CUPE members aboard the Freedom Flotilla.

The Canadian government must take all steps to end its complicity in the genocide in Gaza, including the following:

  • Work actively towards an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the release of all Israeli and Palestinian captives
  • Implement a two-way arms embargo
  • Support all efforts to hold accountable the perpetrators of the crime of genocide in Gaza in accordance with domestic and international law

Big step forward for public childcare

Published October 9, 2025
CUPE K-12 Banner

The B.C. government has introduced legislation to empower school districts to expand delivery of childcare on public school grounds.

Last Tuesday, the BCNDP government tabled Bill 19, the school amendment act, that allows school districts to provide childcare to children of all ages, including infants and toddlers. Districts also will be permitted to provide care during non-instructional days, such as professional development days, and winter, spring and summer breaks.

“We are building a seamless childcare system in our province that supports parents from the early years through to graduation,” said Premier David Eby when unveiling the new bill. “Using our existing infrastructure and partnering with school districts is a smart, sustainable solution that puts existing resources to their best use for families.”

Premier Eby specifically singled out the advocacy of CUPE BC and CUPE locals for the expansion of seamless public childcare as a key driver for the new bill.

“Better enabling our public schools to deliver quality childcare, and at all times of the year, responds to a critical need among parents for accessible, trusted care for their kids,” said Karen Ranalletta, president of CUPE BC. “CUPE is enthusiastic to work with government and school boards to realize the publicly delivered seamless before- and after-school care sparked by this legislative change.”

While the legislation does not mandate school districts to provide childcare, if passed the bill will allow districts to add childcare spaces on school grounds, opt into the childcare program subsidies, and recover reasonable costs, similar to how non-for-profit centres operate, to support sustainable programs or expansions of existing programs.

Bill 19 is an important step forward in expanding public childcare. CUPEBC is continuing it’s Seamless Childcare Now campaign calling for all B.C. school districts to offer before- and after- school care staffed by CUPE school support workers. Seamless childcare can provide thousands of much needed child care spaces, and give CUPE members the opportunity to additional hours and higher earning potential.

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An uplifting exchange, an invitation to solidarity

Published October 9, 2025

CUPE members gave a warm welcome to global trade unionists at Wednesday’s International Solidarity Forum, where workers from around the world came together to discuss building collective power across borders. 

Santiago Dasmariñas of COURAGE, a public sector union in the Philippines, described the terrifying practice of “red-tagging,” labelling activists as terrorists and effectively declaring “open season” on them. COURAGE is fighting back through education and organizing abroad, including in Canada, guided by their motto: “AOM: arouse, organize, and mobilize.” 

Lana Nazzal, president of the Palestinian Governmental Health Service Employees’ Union, and her colleague and translator Carine Metz of the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Centre in Ramallah, painted another picture of workers under siege: health workers in Gaza and the West Bank saving lives amid bombings and sniper fire. They shared their own words of solidarity and encouragement: “Hope is not born in comfort but hardship,” they said. “When workers far away hold a banner that says Freedom for Palestine, we feel our words rise from beneath the rubble and reach the world.” 

From Colombia, Margarita López, president of the Acuavalle Workers’ Union, spoke of deepening inequality, the rise of the far right, and privatization that “wants to turn each drop of water into a business.” Despite threats and violence—156 union leaders have been killed—López and her members continue to fight for public services. “As public sector workers, we have an enormous potential to fight and defend our public services,” she said. “Unions are leading a social transformation that will allow us to become leaders against privatization.” 

Ethan Young of Public Services International closed the evening with a call to action: “There is no avenue of struggle that is acceptable to the oppressor… Get organized, learn from your comrades, and bring international solidarity to the bargaining table, to the picket line, and across the world.” 

CUPE harm reduction workers train delegates to save lives from toxic drugs

Published October 9, 2025

Every day, more than 20 people in Canada die from unregulated toxic drugs. Those deaths can often be prevented if the opioid inhibitor naloxone is administered in time.

That’s why, throughout convention, delegates took part in hands-on-harm reduction training, learning to spot signs of opiate overdoes, when to call 911, how to safely approach people overdosing, and how to provide naloxone nasally or intravenously.

Led by activists from CUPE harm reduction locals 3309, from Ontario, and 3356, from British Columbia, the workshops drew overflow crowds. Many delegates shared that the issue was deeply personal for them and all left with the life-saving skills they need to help people who use drugs.

A voice for women, a champion for change: Shannon Levinsky Wins the Grace Hartman Award

Published October 9, 2025

Grace Hartman, the first woman to serve as CUPE National President, is remembered as a fierce and visionary leader. Her lifelong commitment to workers’ rights, gender equality, and social justice lives on in this year’s Grace Hartman Award recipient, Shannon Levinsky of CUPE 728 in Surrey, B.C.

For more than two decades, Levinsky has been a tireless advocate for women in the workplace—serving as a shop steward and committee member, and championing fair treatment, pay equity, and respectful work environments.

In her work with the Surrey School District, Levinsky has combined education, activism, and mentorship to shape the lives of young people. She has helped students navigate post-secondary applications and supported high school girls in pursuing trades and technical careers where women are underrepresented. 

Beyond the workplace, Levinsky is a powerhouse in her community. She has worked with the Newton Advocacy Group supporting women at risk of experiencing homelessness, helping them access housing and sustainable employment. She has organized the Single Mothers’ Festival and has been a member of the Surrey International Women’s Day Committee for 25 years. Through her leadership in CUPE Metro’s International Women’s Day events and Christmas hamper program, she continues to build community through allyship, care, and solidarity.

“This year’s award may have my name on it,” said Shannon, “but it belongs to every woman who inspired me, stood with me, and gave me the courage to speak, act, and rise.”

Shannon’s unwavering belief in the power of unions, collective care, and solidarity reflects the spirit of this award and inspires all who have the privilege of working alongside her.