New labour movement aims to protect, advocate for Jewish workers

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OTTAWA — Citing rampant anti-Semitism in Canadian organized labour, a new movement aims to give Jewish workers a voice in their unions.

Announced on Labour Day, the newly-formed Canadian Jewish Labour Committee (CJLC) seeks to advocate and protect Jewish workers, while urging unions and their leaders to be more equitable and welcoming organizations.

“Jewish union members across many different unions have been experiencing discrimination and anti-Semitism,” CJLC spokesperson Lindsay Gilbert told The Toronto Sun. 

“It’s been pretty difficult, especially since Oct. 7 and up to and including the whole (CUPE Ontario President) Fred Hahn debacle.”

After a string of alleged anti-Semitic social media posts since the Oct. 7 terror attacks — including celebrating the attacks as legitimate resistance — Hahn ignored calls from his union’s national executive to step down as general vice-president of the union’s national board, as well as condemnations from a number of CUPE locals. 

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Hahn remains unapologetic about his views, marking Labour Day by wearing a white keffiyeh — less than 24 hours after Hamas terrorists executed six Israeli hostages just ahead of a military operation attempting to rescue them.

Gilbert likened the CJLC’s founding to struggles Jewish unionists experienced decades ago, in the face of anti-Jewish hatred.

“It’s very much like back in the 1930s and 40s, Jewish labour members were dealing with essentially the same thing,” she said.

“They gathered then and pushed against it, and were successful. And I don’t know if you want to say ‘sadly’ or ‘serendipitously,’ here we are again.”

According to the committee’s press release, the CJLC is a grassroots organization founded by Jewish unionists and their allies, to fill an urgent need of protection and advocacy.

“Geopolitical ideologies and anti-Israel sentiments have increasingly infiltrated unions, shifting their focus from essential labour issues and creating environments where anti-Semitism is thriving,” the release read.

“Jewish members of OPSEU, CUPE, CAPE, PSAC and other unions have reported feeling isolated, unwelcome, and marginalized.”

One month after the Oct. 7 attacks, Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) President Camille Awada stepped down when previous anti-Semitic social media posts came to light.

Awada’s resignation came around the same time Jewish CUPE members launched a human rights complaint against their union.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume