International solidarity is a call to action and an essential component of any fightback strategy we develop in our union. Inequality and injustice threaten to divide us. We must unite in the face of a rising tide of fear, racism and hate in Canada and around the world.
CUPE’s international solidarity work is rooted in the reality that at home, in our workplace, and in our communities, our lives are affected by a global economic system that puts profit before people. Our struggle for economic and social justice knows no borders.
As active members of the global trade union federation Public Services International (PSI), we are connected to more than 20 million public sector workers in 163 countries around the world. Through our Global Justice Fund we have longstanding and evolving relationships with trade unions and social movement organizations on the front lines of many critical struggles. Worker-to-worker solidarity ensures we are building a connected and powerful movement.
International solidarity gives us a critical lens to understand the world around us. It helps us understand the bigger picture as it relates to our day-to-day union work at the bargaining table, defending public services and taking political action.
Our fight against growing corporate power and inequality goes hand-in-hand with protecting workers’ rights and public services – in Canada and internationally. The powerful economic, corporate and political forces behind right-wing governments are global, and our response must be as well.
CUPE stands united with workers around the world challenging privatization, poverty, austerity, corruption and war. And we will continue to challenge these same forces in Canada. Collective, coordinated resistance is the only way to achieve genuine justice and dignity.
Until all of us are free, none of us are free.
