The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been holding their national convention in Toronto this past week.
On Wednesday, October 8, the convention held an International Solidarity Forum, featuring speakers from around the world, including those involved in labour organizing in countries experiencing oppression and violence.
Two of the featured speakers were Carine Metz, coordinator with the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Centre in Palestine and Lana Nazzal, president of the Palestinian Governmental Health Service Employees’ Union.
The Democracy and Workers’ Rights Centre in Palestine receives support from the CUPE social justice fund and Metz said that she was excited to tell attendees at the convention about the hard work her organization does to promote labour rights and organizing in Palestine.
In a statement to rabble.ca CUPE National president Mark Hancock said it was important for his union to create space for conversation from labour leaders in other countries.
“CUPE’s commitment to international solidarity goes back to our founding in 1963. A big part of that commitment is creating space and opportunity to learn from our comrades in other countries. Our union was honoured to host Lana and Carine among our international guests,” said Hancock.
Labouring through extreme conditions
The Gaza Strip has been almost completely destroyed by Israel. Organizations like the UN and Amnesty International have called Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide.
Israel has also destroyed many hospitals and other medical facilities in Gaza, something prohibited by international law.
In the West Bank, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority, Israel tightly controls the borders and restricts the movement of Palestinians in and out of the region.
It also tightly controls the economy of the West Bank, leading to many workers going without pay and high unemployment rates.
All of this has led to a variety of extreme working conditions for Palestinians.
Nazzal said that Palestinian healthcare workers continue to work through these conditions because of their commitment to their fellow Palestinians and their community.
“Continuing to work under these extreme conditions is a form of resistance,” Nazzal said through a translation provided by Metz.
On Friday, October 10, Israel stated that it would abide by a negotiated ceasefire and would pull troops out of parts of Gaza.
In an interview with Metz and Nazzal the day before, they said that at that time, bombs continued to fall on Palestinian homes.
“We are cautious at this stage. Everyone hopes the genocide in Gaza stops,” said Metz.
“Like everyone else in the world we are waiting to see what will happen. We hope to live in peace, justice, and freedom,” said Nazzal.
Metz said that the international community had to ensure that violence did not resume.
“We need the international community to step in and provide the guarantee. We need an international force to secure the borders of the occupied territories so we are safe from Israeli attacks,” she said.
Hancock said that CUPE was proud to stand with Palestinians and Palestinian workers.
“Now more than ever, CUPE stands with Palestinian workers, and especially public sector workers. After two years of a documented genocide in Gaza, they remain on the front lines of resistance against the occupation,” he said. “Palestine’s health care workers, first responders and educators especially are targets of Israeli violence. As trade unionists, we need their perspective to build international solidarity and to make our own contribution as workers to the struggle for justice and peace at home and abroad.”
“There were so many important conversations this week. It resonated with members to hear first-hand what it’s like to fight for labour rights and bargain collectively – something we all do – under an occupation. And our health care members connected with the struggles of Lana and her members who are facing extreme violence under the Israeli occupation as well as short staffing and violence on the job,” he added.
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