The CUPE Cast

This podcast episode explores the critical intersection of climate justice and labour unions. The discussion highlights how the climate emergency is not just an environmental issue but a profound health and safety concern for everyone, impacting all of us, irrespective of our backgrounds or workplaces. The episode explores the role of labor unions in advocating for climate justice, emphasizing the importance of collective action. Furthermore, the podcast offers insights into practical steps that individuals, communities, and organizations can take to combat climate change while ensuring equitable outcomes for all. We hope to inspire listeners that it’s not too late to create a more sustainable and just future for all. Content warning: there is mention of death, disaster, and sexual assault. 

Show Notes 

Climate Emergency Unit - Good Green Jobs for All campaign

https://www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca/win

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Ontario - Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/CBTUCanada 

CP24 (September 22, 2023) - 'It was a mistake:' Ford reversing government's decision to open Greenbelt

https://www.cp24.com/news/it-was-a-mistake-ford-reversing-government-s-decision-to-open-greenbelt-1.6571320  

CUPE (July 2018) - Bargaining language for a greener workplace

https://cupe.ca/bargaining-language-greener-workplace 

CUPE - Water is life campaign 

https://cupe.ca/water-is-life 

CUPE - Wildsmoke

https://cupe.ca/wildfire-smoke 

CUPE Ontario - Connecting air quality, health and safety at work, and the climate emergency

A joint statement from CUPE Ontario’s Climate Justice and Health and Safety committees

https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Joint-Statement-CUPE-Ontario-Climate-Justice-and-Health-and-safety-committees_2023_07_17.pdf 

CUPE Ontario Climate Justice Committee - CUPE Ontario’s Climate Justice Toolkit 

https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Your-Blueprint-For-A-Green-Union-CUPE-Ontarios-Climate-Justice-Toolkit-2.pdf

CUPE Ontario - Health and Safety Forum

https://cupe.on.ca/event/health-and-safety-forum-oct-1st/?instance_id=1606 

David Suzuski Foundation - Top 10 things you can do about climate change

https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-can-stop-climate-change/ 

Fridays for Future Toronto - Global March to End Fossil Fuels Toronto

https://www.fridaysforfutureto.org/global-march-to-end-fossil-fuels-toronto 

Global News (September 21, 2023) - A chronology of key events following Ontario’s decision to develop Greenbelt lands

https://globalnews.ca/news/9932393/greenbelt-land-swap-key-events-timeline

On20Ottawa

https://on2ottawa.ca/ 

Power Up Day of Action https://globalpowerup.org 

SIERRA Magazine (September 18, 2023) - Tens of Thousands of Marchers Fill New York City Streets to Demand an End to Fossil Fuel Extraction

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/tens-thousands-marchers-fill-new-york-city-streets-demand-end-fossil-fuel-extraction 

The Canadian Climate Institute - Centring Social Justice is Sound Climate Policy

https://climateinstitute.ca/centring-social-justice-is-sound-climate-policy/ 

United Nations (June 27, 2022) - Put women’s rights ‘front and centre’ of climate policies: Bachelet

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1121442 

Recorded live co-hosted by Niagara District CUPE Council Women's Committee

It’s another hot union summer, summer of the strike, and so many of these movements are women led! And don’t forget the Orcas too! Let’s explore what’s going down, because this Barbie is a Union Member. Recorded in front of a live audience, it’s Episode 28! Strong Women Summer!

Links: 

Local 2577 – Workers at Family & Children’s Services Lanark, Leeds & Grenville

https://cupe.ca/child-protection-workers-and-support-staff-ratify-new-deal-ending-three-week-long-strike 

Local 905 – Library Unit at Bradford West Gwillimbury

https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/its-about-respect-bradford-library-union-return-to-bargaining-table-7414119 

https://www.tiktok.com/@666praxis/video/7270872982749236485?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7272580722211702278

The Maple - GTA Metro Workers’ Strike Is A Chance To Reform Grocery Industry 

https://www.readthemaple.com/gta-metro-workers-strike-is-a-chance-to-reform-grocery-industry/

Good Jobs for Grocery Workers Campaign

https://www.goodgroceryjobs.ca/ 

Writers Guild of America

https://19thnews.org/2023/05/hollywood-writers-strike-diverse-stories-tv-film/

SAG - yeah Fran Drescher!!

https://captimes.com/opinion/john-nichols/opinion-barbie-is-a-strike-ready-trade-unionist/article_4fe39e7a-30b3-5694-b3f2-1296123f70df.html 

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/margot-robbie-sag-aftra-strike-barbie/ 

Is it crossing a picket line to see a movie right now?

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/sag-aftra-strike-faq-crossing-picket-lines-see-a-movie/

Economic impact from Barbie, Taylor Swift, Beyonce

⁠https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanavalko/taylor-swift-barbie-beyonce-impact-us-economy

Olivia Chow winning mayor of Toronto

https://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-mayor-olivia-chow-gets-73-per-cent-approval-rating-during-first-month-in-office-poll-1.6532435 

Auditor General Greenbelt report
https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/specialreports/specialreports/Greenbelt_en.pdf

August 1 marks Emancipation Day — a day signifying the enactment of the Slave Abolition Act of 1833 and the abolishment of slavery across the British Empire. But what does it mean to observe Emancipation Day? In this episode, the CUPE Cast hosts are joined by CUPE Ontario's Racial Justice Chair, Valerie Joseph, to discuss the origins of Emancipation Day and why it matters to reflect on the enslavement of African people and its impacts on Canada's past, present and future. From carnivals to underground train rides and everything in between, it's time for us to jump up, wave and take action!

Show notes 

A Different BookList Cultural Centre (now known as Blackhurst Cultural Centre) — Emancipation Day "Underground Freedom Train Ride"

https://adbcc.org/emancipation-day-underground-freedom-train-ride/ 

Blackhurst Cultural Centre's Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/blackhurstculturalcentre/ 

CBC News — Ontario church attended by abolitionist Harriet Tubman gets upgrades, to reopen for tours

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/black-history-st-catharines-chapel-1.6758947 

City of St. Catharines — British Methodist Episcopal Church Salem Chapel 

https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/arts-culture-and-events/british-methodist-episcopal-church-salem-chapel.aspx 

City of St. Catharines — The Underground Railroad

https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/arts-culture-and-events/the-underground-railroad.aspx

CUPE National  — Emancipation Day

https://cupe.ca/event/emancipation-day

CUPE National — CUPE attends the third National Black Canadian Summit

https://cupe.ca/cupe-attends-3rd-national-black-canadians-summit-historical-moment 

CUPE Ontario — Prisoners' Justice Day

https://cupe.on.ca/prisoners-justice-day/ 

CUPE Ontario — The History of Carnival Webinar

https://youtu.be/JQPbm6gxYp8

Elle Magazine — Every Body Is a Carnival Body

https://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a43622576/trinidad-carnival-diverse-bodies/ 

Toronto Caribbean Carnival — The History of Carnival 

https://www.torontocarnival.ca/history 

It’s Pride Month, and many CUPE members work in public services that host pride flag raisings, Drag Storytimes, 2SLGBTQIA+ school clubs, and more but these services are under attack. As the backlash and rhetoric against 2SLGBTQIA+ people has grown, so have the threats and bigotry around pride and drag. We will explore how we can ensure safer spaces and organize support on the ground. And you’ll hear first hand experience from a fabulous drag queen, Violet S. Parks, who has done many drag shows at libraries.

Shownotes:

How to start your own flying squad on Instagram: 

https://linktr.ee/studentsforqueerliberation?fbclid=PAAaZP_d02jHy0LVpicLcksE6ljK4_sAxe3qBudCRtX3bP5jm2cR63ljUrjQQ

https://www.instagram.com/ycdsbstudentsforchange/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D 

In defense of Drag Queen Storytime: why Durham public libraries are going forward with these events, despite the pushback | Fresh Air with Ismaila Alfa | Live Radio | CBC Listen

THE BIG READ: ‘Drag Queen Storytime’ has sparked a new chapter of hate in Ontario - North Bay News

“Students walk out over York Catholic board decision not to fly Pride flag”:

Students walk out over York Catholic board decision not to fly Pride flag | CBC News

OPSEU Retiree members flying squad:

Reminder – Deadline to apply is June 25 – Retired Members Division Seeking 10 positions from each Region for “Flying Squad” Activism Leads – OPSEU SEFPO

York Catholic District School Board votes 6-4 against raising Pride flag - Toronto | Globalnews.ca

Resources | Drag Story Hour

Drag Story Time popular at Durham Libraries: 

https://www.durhamregion.com/news/drag-queen-storytime-proves-popular-at-durham-libraries-despite-protests/article_ed1afd52-5251-57f5-89c1-96b62c12327e.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=ymbii_top 

LGBTQ Nation - What Is the Progress Pride Flag?

What Is the Progress Pride Flag? - LGBTQ Nation 

Forbes - Why Many LGBT People Have Started Using A New Pride Flag: 

⁠https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/07/12/why-lgbt-people-have-started-using-a-new-pride-flag-nhs-black-lives-matters/?sh=499a6f4d125a⁠ 

LGBTQ Nation - Emblems of equality: Discovering the world of LGBTQ+ flags: 

 Emblems of equality: Discovering the world of LGBTQ+ flags - LGBTQ Nation 

It’s Convention season at CUPE Ontario! Let’s talk “inside baseball” when it comes to all things CUPE Ontario Convention: a complete overview of all things convention. No strikes - only home runs! Listen in for everything you wanted to know about CUPE Ontario Convention - let’s play ball! 

CUPE Ontario Draft Convention Agenda: https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DRAFT-CONVENTION-AGENDA-2023-For-website-Eng-2.pdf

CUPE Ontario Constitution: Layout 1 (cupe.on.ca)  

CUPE Ombudperson program: https://cupe.ca/cupe-ombudsperson-program 

CUPE Ombudperson program Video: https://cupe.ca/cupe-ombudspersons-video 

CUPE Ontario Convention Website: https://cupe.on.ca/convention2023/
CUPE Ontario Land Acknowledgement https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Indigenous-Greeting-AMENDED-In-person-events-March-2022.pdf

Solidarity Forever Lyrics: https://genius.com/Pete-seeger-solidarity-forever-lyrics

Bread and Roses: https://genius.com/Joan-baez-bread-and-roses-lyrics

OFL Enough is Enough!: Enough Is Enough Day of Action | The Ontario Federation of Labour

Roberts Rules of Order: Microsoft Word - Roberts Rules of Order - Simplified.docx (cornell.edu)⁠

Boutinots Rules or Order: ⁠COSS-BOURINOTS.pdf (utoronto.ca)⁠

Parliamentary Procedure: ⁠Parliamentary procedure | Canadian Union of Public Employees (cupe.ca)⁠

Are unions bringing sexy back? What’s cooler than being cool?! Having a union card or working to organize a union in your workplace! This month we have an updated chat on all the reasons why it’s super sexy to be in a union and where to find some union love in pop culture and more.  Because when you’re in a union you can buy your own flowers! 

Show Notes:

Dripped Out Trade Unionists tweeted this: Union Membership: Very Sexy - The Atlantic 

Unions Are Sexy

Unions are Sexy Posters and Art Prints‘

Star Garden Dancer Action Updates

https://www.stargardendancers.com/collections/all  https://www.instagram.com/stripperstrikenoho/?hl=en   

linktr.ee/stripperstrikenoho

Cocktails and Capitalism : https://open.spotify.com/show/0DGYssR9X8l7ird1SzbN9i?go=1&sp_cid=557991914dc88283e69268a860fb8a70&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1

France protest - pensions and climate justice with dancing https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqiRsJ-P1KE/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Brianna 

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-witness-12th-nationwide-strike-against-macrons-pension-law-2023-04-13/ 

https://www.aljazeera.com/program/between-us/2023/4/13/france-in-protest 

Amazon and Chris Smalls

OFL Toronto event recording: https://www.facebook.com/OFLabour/videos/125831273773309 

Enough is enough campaign: https://wesayenough.ca/ 

NPR Article: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/11/1169314853/union-rutgers-strike-gen-z-labor-work-workforce-starbucks-organizing

Uncanny Valley: https://sea.mashable.com/tech/8565/tech-exceptionalism-is-over-and-now-things-need-to-change 

Teen Vouge May Dayhttps://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-capitalism-is?utm_source=twitter&utm_social-type=owned&mbid=social_twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_brand=tv

https://twitter.com/TeenVogue/status/1256155173338132480?s=20

Are you fed up with the rich getting richer, while workers struggle to get by? This month the CUPE Cast is saying Enough is Enough! The rich are richer than ever. Workers are working harder than ever for low wages. The rich rule by dividing us. Together, we have power! Workers are saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We will discuss just that - how to get involved in your own campaign, ongoing strikes and movements throughout the world, and sharing some real data with you about who is impacted the most while greedy corporations profit.

Shownotes:

OFL campaign Enough is Enough.wesayenough.ca 

UK campaign Enough is Enough 

UK strike: Nurses set for 'intensive' talks with government after strike paused - BBC News 

'We Are Going to Win': UK Workers Launch Largest Coordinated Strike in More Than a Decade 

Portugal strike: Why are teachers on strike? - The Portugal News

Portuguese teachers mount nationwide strike - World Socialist Web Site 

Disney Bargaining CNN Article:https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/29/business/disney-union-contract-vote/index.html

Disney Bargaining World SOcialist Website:https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/02/15/xnwz-f15.html

UNITE HERE 362 Bargaining Updates: https://www.uniteherelocal362.org/disney-bargaining/

MSNBC: https://thehill.com/homenews/media/3849332-nbc-msnbc-staffers-threaten-walk-out-amid-layoffs/

NBC Guild Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbcnewsguild/status/1623333321353601030

Support NBC Workers: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-nbc-news-workers-on-ulp-work-stoppage-tell-nb-to-stop-breaking-the-law/ 

Harper Collins Twitter: https://twitter.com/hcpunion/status/1628095098427695104

VOX Harper Collins Strike Article: https://www.vox.com/culture/23594358/harpercollins-union-contract-strike

Canadian Women's Soccer team Twitter Statement: https://twitter.com/PlayersCanadian/status/1624160160980557826/photo/1

The Guardian Canadians Women Soccer Team Strike Article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/11/canada-soccer-womens-team-on-strike-financial-issues-christine-sinclair

East Palestine rail derailment: 

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/multiple-people-suing-norfolk-southern-alleged-negligence-east-palestine-train-derailment/ARP6QLG2XNEPFNVJ5MYWVIZHAM/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/28/us/ohio-train-derailment-east-palestine.html

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/03/us-rail-workers-east-palestine-ohio-train-crash 

Repercussions of our current climate from a Millennial and Gen Z workers:

Businesses face shortage of skilled workers and young employees: report - Toronto Star

You’re Wrong About Gen Z - MacLeans

Pull data about how much some major corporations have made in 2022 (Walmart, Loblaws, Starbucks)

Grocery workers among lowest paid while owners reap record profits - Rabble

Canada’s unions are lifting everyone up - Canadian Congress of Labour

More than 500 Calgary Loblaws workers served layoff notice amid possible lockout: Union - Global News

Loblaw earns $529M in Q4 profits as Canadians struggle with rising food prices - CBC News 

Nurses union in UK and Canada

This month the CUPE Cast is discussing the topic, Black Workers Matter. 

In this episode we will be covering everything from the Black Class Action Lawsuit, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the Black Sleeping Car Porters, and more. This is also an extra special episode where we are welcoming our brand new CUPE Cast co-host, Brianna Plummer and saying goodbye to CUPE Cast co-host Elise. 

Links for show notes: 

Black Sleeping Car Porters 

https://humanrights.ca/story/sleeping-car-porters https://workershistorymuseum.ca/black-workers-in-canada-20th-century/ https://legionmagazine.com/en/tv-series-tells-story-of-canadas-black-sleeping-car-porters/

Coalition of Black Trade Unions 

https://www.cbtu.ca/ https://cupe.ca/yolanda-mcclean-acclaimed-third-vice-president-coalition-black-trade-unionists 

NFB collection of films on Black history in Canada 

https://www.nfb.ca/playlist/nfb_celebrates_black_history_month 

UN International Decades 

https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-decades 

Video about UN Decade for People of African Descent 

https://www.un.org/en/observances/decade-people-african-descent

Moments in Canadian History of Black Labour 

https://psacunion.ca/moments-canadian-history-black-labour 

Rabble Pushing Equity Foreward artcile 

https://rabble.ca/labour/pushing-equity-forward-within-the-labour-movement/ 

CUPE Anti - Racism Strategy 

https://cupe.ca/sites/cupe/files/anti-racism_strategy_en.pdf 

CUPE Ontario AROAP document 

https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AROAP-FINAL.pdf 

CUPE Ontario AROAP Website

https://cupe.on.ca/aroap/#:~:text=The%20CUPE%20Ontario%20Anti%2DRacism,Indigenous%20members%20in%20our%20union

Often when people think of unions, they think of higher wages and safer working conditions - which are absolutely true. But unions also fight for equity, equality and for the human rights of all. This month’s episode is a conversation with activist and CUPE National human rights representative, Kimalee Phillip on why human rights are union rights. Kimalee Phillip is an experienced social justice and organizational learning consultant, facilitator, writer, educator and researcher. Her work is deeply grounded in, and informed by Black and Caribbean feminist thought and practice and this conversation reflects all of this and more.

Show Notes:

WILD: Women in Leadership Development:

Human Rights: https://cupe.on.ca/committees/human-rights/

Cozy up with your favourite warm beverage, snuggle into your comfiest blanket, gather your loved ones near and enjoy this months bonus CUPE Cast episode “The Night Before”, a retelling of Clement Clarke Moore’s  “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, with a fun union and labour twist!