Author: Christine McCunn

PSAC deeply mourns the many civilian lives lost and the ongoing suffering in the face of escalating violence in Israel and Palestine over the past week.   

We condemn the horrific attack and killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas in southern Israel and the ongoing Israeli military siege and killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The recent forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, coupled with threats of violence towards Jewish and Muslim communities worldwide, has reached a crisis point that requires urgent intervention. 

The Canadian government must call for an immediate cease-fire to prevent any further loss of life. It must also oppose Israel’s illegal restriction of water, electricity, food and medicine to the more than 2 million people of Gaza and demand a humanitarian corridor be established immediately.  

Canada must lend its support in finding a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict, which includes calling for the end of the occupation of Palestinian territories.  

PSAC acknowledges that many of our members are experiencing pain and anxiety in light of these recent events. We recognize that some members may be worrying about family and loved ones living in the region and that recent headlines are impacting their communities here in Canada. We offer our heartfelt sympathies to everyone impacted by this crisis. 

As tensions rise in communities around the world, we must unite against racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, and uphold the right to freedom, self-determination, and safety for both Palestinians and Israelis. 

https://psacunion.ca/psac-statement-violence-palestine-and-israel

Recently the MUNACA Executive donated $500 to the Trans Legal Defense Fund. They will use the funds raised to become part of a broader project to counter anti-trans hate across Turtle Island / Canada, by notably:

• Funding constitutional cases, suing governments if they fail to respect trans people’s fundamental, Charter-protected rights;
• Supporting individual plaintiffs in suing anti-trans actors in courts of law;
• Providing direct support to trans people, in the form of grants, to help pay for their name changes, as well as other court fees (e.g. filing fees).

Join us to celebrate Labour Day

PSAC-NEU members who work for the Iqaluit Housing Authority have been on strike since the middle of March. These workers, mostly young Inuit parents, are fighting for wages that keep pace with inflation in the exorbitantly expensive northern economy.  

They are fighting to maintain working conditions that are the norm in other parts of the country – things like maternity leave provisions, vacation leave, and personal leave.  They are fighting for respect and dignity in the face of bargaining that is often tinged with racism and sexism.  

In the meantime, the employer has brought in replacement workers. These scab labourers from southern Canada, are getting paid more, and are being provided with housing and food allowances and benefits that striking workers have never had access to. 

 It’s time for Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan and the federal government to step in and halt the use of scab labour in the Iqaluit Housing Authority strike.  

Please take action now

https://psacunion.ca/take-action-end-use-scab-labour#newmode-embed-2924-58916

MUNACA members, don’t forget to complete the online survey. It should be in your work email, sent on 5th July at 14:05h. If you didn’t see it, please check your junk mail folder.