Black History Month – Celebrating and Committing

February is Black History Month, and this year the celebration of cultures comes as right-wing forces try to turn back the struggle for equality.

Sadly, south of the border the Trumpian alt-right tries to make equity, diversity and inclusion bad words. On this side of the border, it’s time for vigilance, especially for unions, who have been at the forefront of the struggle for equality.

The work is far from complete, especially when it comes to Black workers, who of all equity-seeking groups are most likely to feel the sting of bias and exclusion.

Consider the stats:

In 2023, 16% of Black Canadians with a bachelor’s or higher degree worked in jobs requiring only high school, compared to 11% of the general population (SRDC).

Black Canadians earn 75.6 cents for every dollar earned by non-racialized Canadians (TMU).

Unemployment for Black Canadians in 2023 in Canada was 9%, higher than the national average of 5.4%.

Employers are 40% more likely to interview a job applicant with an English-sounding name, despite identical qualifications (Government of Canada).

This February, we celebrate the Black communities of Canada and all the contributions of Black Canadians to the country whose freedom we defend. When everyone is given the chance to contribute to their potential, all Canadians win.

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Statement from COPE President Annette Toth on Alberta government’s strike busting

October 29, 2025

Annette Toth, President of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE), has released this statement in response to the Government of Alberta’s use of the notwithstanding clause to attack the rights of teachers and to end the teachers’ strike. COPE represents tens of thousands of union workers in both the public and private sector across Canada:

COPE strongly condemns the Government of Alberta and Premier Danielle Smith’s assault on the rights of the striking teachers in Alberta by invoking the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work.

No matter how the Government of Alberta attempts to frame it, this is nothing but an attack on the fundamental rights of teachers who are exercising their rights as workers and doing their part to defend public education and students in Alberta by asking the government to address critical issues that are affecting the educational experience, including class sizes and the need for student support.

By taking this action, the Government of Alberta is also showing they have little regard for workers’ rights in general and would be willing to use this method to attack workers and union members in any sector as they see ﬁt.

Our union, and our tens of thousands of members across the country, stands in solidarity with the teachers in Alberta, and with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, in their continued efforts to defend public education and workers’ rights in the face of a government that has shown little regard for either.

:kc

See original statement

TRUTH, RECONCILIATION AND UNIONS

Next week, Canadians observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, an important step on the road to remaking colonial relationships with Indigenous peoples.

There's always the risk that putting the date in the calendar will be taken as a sign of mission accomplished, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

In fact, recent moves by the federal and Ontario governments seem to be moving us backward, not forward. Bill C-5 in the House of Commons and Bill 5 in Ontario undermine the constitutional obligation to consult First Nations on natural resource development proposals. Mark Carney, Doug Ford and their governments have disrespected Indigenous peoples and not treated them as equal partners.

The rush to cut, dig and mine wilderness areas — many of which are Treaty territory or subject to land claims — put unions in a difficult position. On the one hand, high-paying jobs for our members would be welcome at this economically uncertain time.

But what of our obligations to support truth and reconciliation? Unions have worked hard on internal equity and being allies of Indigenous peoples. But the words of our land acknowledgements will ring allow if we desert first peoples to sit with governments and corporations to advance their interests rather than those of Indigenous peoples.

On September 30, let us all — individuals and unions — be mindful of the crimes of the past, recommit ourselves to the hard work of reconciliation, and work with and not against the aspirations of Indigenous peoples.

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS' FIGHT OUR FIGHT

The federal labour board says the Air Canada flight attendants' strike is illegal, that once ordered back to work they have to go. Or else.

But which party is actually defying the law here?

The Supreme Court of Canada has consistently ruled that the ability to bargain a collective agreement and to strike to get one are constitutionally protected.

Great news for Toronto transit and COPE members

Finally, the news for which we've been waiting for so long.

The governments of Canada, Ontario and Toronto jointly announced today that the contract for new TTC subway trains will go to Alstom Transport Canada Inc. in Thunder Bay.

That is good news for members of COPE Local 81 who work at Alstom.

It is also a welcome development for Toronto transit — 55 of the six-car trains will replace aging Line 2 equipment. The other 15 are for the Yonge North and Scarborough subway extensions.

More good unions jobs, fewer transit delays because of equipment breakdowns.