Growing labour support for Palestine encampments

On Monday May 6th, just days after the establishment of the Peoples Circle for Palestine encampment on King's College Circle at the University of Toronto, the Executive of United Steelworkers Local 1998 released a statement in support of the students' demands. The encampment was established on Thursday, May 2nd.

 

Local 1998 represents 10,000 administrative and other staff at U of T, Victoria University, St. Michael’s College and University of Toronto Schools.

 

The Executive's statement builds on the Local’s call for an immediate ceasefireissued in early November 2023. It also endorses the Toronto & York Region Labour Council’scall for an end of indirect and direct shipments of all arms, including those from Canada, that facilitate the Israeli state’s offensive against the people of Gaza.

 

The statement stands in support of the demands of the encampment and challenges “the University’s weaponization of property rights in its effort to discredit the King’s College Circle protesters’ goals and actions.” You can read the full statementon the Local’s website.

 

With this statement, the Local joins other groups at U of T who are standing in solidarity with the encampment, including CUPE 3902and the U of T Faculty Association. The statement was released on the same day that Israel ordered over 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate Rafah as it launched its ground offensive.

 

Encampments on other campuses are also receiving labour support. The Hamilton and District Labour Councilreleased a statement in solidarity with the Palestine solidarity encampment at McMaster University.

 

It is more urgent than ever for large numbers to take action to stop the genocide that is unfolding.

 

There will be an important opportunity for workers to stand together in Toronto at the rally on May 11 marking the anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe). Join the labour contingent at 1pm at the Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, and march to the rally at the US Consulate.