As part of our union’s commitment to learn from the experiences and celebrate the successes of Black, Indigenous and racialized CUPE members, CUPE is profiling members of the National Racial Justice Committee and National Indigenous Council. This month, meet National Racial Justice Committee member J.R. Simpson. 

When Saskatoon education worker J.R. Simpson talks about making CUPE more inclusive for Indigenous, Black, and racialized members, he’s making plans to build our union’s strength. 

“If we want our locals to grow and get stronger, we need to have more people being active. And more people are going to be active if they’re feeling welcome. We’re stronger together,” he says. 

“My whole goal is always to bring more people up. Not just for me to be there, but to bring more people like me in. The more diverse we are as a union, the more we’ll hear different opinions and different voices that might not have been heard before,” he says.  

J.R. is in his second term on CUPE’s National Racial Justice Committee and has been on the CUPE Saskatchewan executive board since 2019, where he’s currently the Vice-President. J.R. is also the alternate CUPE National Diversity Vice-President for Black and Racialized Workers. 

A CUPE 2268 member and steward who works for the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Division, J.R. supports young people with autism. He’s a CUPE 2268 steward and member, and is also a member of CUPE 3730, working part-time as a school custodian. 

J.R. focuses on helping young people manage aggression and other special needs. He trained to become a support worker – a job he’s been doing for 27 years, and started with the school district in 2001.  

“I find it rewarding. Especially when young people transition to a full-time job or to a group home or a home with other people.”  

J.R. beams when he talks about a young person who got a job with his support in his first year with the school district.  “He still works at the same job today. It’s so exciting to see him doing well.” 

Opening doors to new people 

More than a decade ago, a change in CUPE 2268’s practices opened the door to new people, allowing members to elect a steward for each of the school board’s districts. J.R. ran for his district and won. 

“That changed the local. It opened things up, including for me as a diverse member,” says J.R. 

Stewarding was the springboard J.R. needed to get more involved in CUPE. He dove in, completing every stewarding course CUPE offers. He’s also an ombudsperson, a trial panel member, a member facilitator and a member organizer.  

J.R.’s involvement grew because other CUPE members and leaders invited him in. As one example, he remembers current CUPE Vice-President, Ontario Yolanda McClean grabbing him at a CUPE national convention and bringing him to the caucus for Black and racialized members.  

Giving back and lifting others up 

J.R. has dedicated himself to making people feel welcome wherever he goes in CUPE, especially Indigenous, Black and racialized members. He knows how important it is to see yourself reflected in an organization’s leadership, and sees welcoming members as one way to give back and lift other people up. It starts with a simple “hello.” 

“I hope it makes them think, ‘Look, there’s someone else who looks like me.’ That’s important because when you feel welcome, you’ll come back,” he says. 

Welcoming new members, especially people who aren’t well represented in union structures, is just the first step, says J.R. 

“To include people, you need to make space. And then their voices can be heard,” he says. 

He points to his experience on the CUPE Saskatchewan executive board as one example of making space. The board has expanded since 2019, when J.R. was elected as a diversity representative alongside representatives for Indigenous workers and young workers. He salutes the division leadership at the time, Tom Graham and Judy Henley, for making it an inviting space for him to bring his ideas forward.  

Today, the role of diversity representative has expanded into three seats – one each for racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ workers, as well as workers with disabilities.  

“It shows we’re working in a direction where everyone’s heard and being listened to. That’s the goal,” says J.R., who says he uses his division leadership role to encourage locals to become more representative by breaking down barriers to Indigenous, Black and racialized members. He encourages locals to set up a diversity committee as one step towards inclusion. 

Go for it 

J.R. joined the National Racial Justice Committee as members were helping shape CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy. He sees progress happening, including through the regular online gatherings that create a safe meeting space for Indigenous, Black and racialized CUPE members – and invite allies to help build an anti-racist union. 

“I think there’s always going to be a lot more to do, but I think we’re definitely going in the right direction.”  

He says Indigenous, Black and racialized members who want to get more involved in CUPE should “go for it.” 

“It’s hard some days, but you’ve got to keep going. There are unfortunately barriers that are in the way of a lot of Black and racialized members. You just need to keep knocking those barriers down and keep pushing forward.” 

Learn more about CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy including Goal 4, which focuses on highlighting the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous and racialized members and celebrating their successes, at cupe.ca/cupes-anti-racism-strategy. And check out these tips for putting the strategy into action in your local.