Since our founding CUPE has proudly been an anti-war union. We advocated against shipping arms for the war in Vietnam. Delegates at our national conventions have spoken out against the war in Iraq and called for an end to the war in Afghanistan. Since Russia attacked Ukraine, CUPE has worked in solidarity with the international labour movement to condemn this aggression, and to support families of workers affected by the war in Ukraine.
We are following with grave concern the dramatic escalation of war in the Middle East with Israel’s bombings and extrajudicial assassinations in Iran, Iran’s missile strikes against Israel, and the US President’s dangerous rhetoric threatening nuclear war.
We stand in solidarity with workers in Iran and against the regime’s human rights abuses including the systematic torture and execution of women, sexual and gender minorities, religious minorities and human rights and labour activists.
CUPE calls on Canada to unequivocally condemn the escalating attacks between Israel and Iran, oppose President Trump’s reckless threats of nuclear war, and state plainly Canada’s intent to pursue diplomatic solutions and opposition to military conflict in the region.