CUPE Condemns Removal of Board Member for Criticizing Israel

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Ontario’s largest union, is demanding that York Region reinstate one of its executive board members who was dismissed for criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza in a Facebook post.

Following her post, management from York Region Paramedic Services questioned Katherine Grzejszczak and subsequently terminated her employment on June 20.

CUPE Ontario’s Executive Board has condemned this action and pledged full support to the frontline paramedic. The Board asserts that her removal is discriminatory and sets a dangerous precedent for any worker willing to speak out against human rights violations.

CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn issued an official statement saying: “Katherine is a strong, brave, and principled CUPE member who was elected democratically by her peers to lead in our union. She dedicates her life to saving others, yet she is being punished for voicing opposition to the widespread harm inflicted on others.

“As outraged as we are by Katherine’s unjust termination, this troubling situation has broader implications,” Hahn continued. “No employer should be able to silence a worker for challenging injustice.” He emphasized that this action is in direct violation of the Charter rights of workers, who have the right to speak out against genocide and war. Katherine’s remarks on Facebook align fully with CUPE Ontario’s long-standing, democratically established anti-war principles.

CUPE Ontario’s Secretary-Treasurer, Yolanda McClean, added: “To devote your professional life to emergency response and preserving life, only to be fired for opposing an ongoing genocide, reveals chilling inconsistencies. The position taken by York Region Paramedic Services simply makes no sense.”

York Region Paramedic Services has not yet commented on CUPE’s statement.