Tuesday, January 13, 2009

No Consensus in CUPE over Gaza.

Since posting my opinion piece a few days ago, it has become clear that there is no consensus within CUPE over the position taken by some members of the Ontario wing of the Union. I have included a couple of links from CUPE that provide differing opinions regarding the position of Syd Ryan regarding the crisis in Gaza:

http://cupe.ca/npo/CUPE-National-oppose

http://cupe.on.ca/doc.php?document_id=677&lang=en

Monday, January 5, 2009

CUPE's Position on the Gaza Crisis

I noted with dismay that CUPE will propose, “a ban on Israeli academics doing speaking, teaching or research work at Ontario universities, if they do not explicitly condemn Israeli action in Gaza.” at a conference to be held next month. I personally deplore the violence that is currently consuming the Gaza Strip. I cannot condone the actions of the Israeli government, any more than I can agree with the actions of Hamas that some claim, have precipitated this crisis. Both sides need to sit down and negotiate their way out of this morass. The sooner this is done the better. In the final analysis, negotiation will be the only way out. War, short of the complete annihilation of all of the stakeholders can never result in a final solution to a situation. That being said, I as a trade unionist, am very concerned that CUPE, an organization that owes its very existence to the freedoms of speech, association, and choice, provided by our constitution is apparently willing to deny these same freedoms to others, on the basis of citizenship, and/or religious affiliation. The actions of CUPE in this matter can only damage the trade union movement. Although I can understand their leadership may have come to the conclusion that the position of one side of this conflict is without merit. That is their prerogative, and the labour movement has a long history of political action. In this instance however, CUPE is overstepping the bounds by setting themselves up as the arbiters of what is acceptable opinion and seeking to limit the freedoms they demand for themselves.