OPSEU/SEFPO statement on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign

 

The statement from OPSEU/SEFPO

OPSEU/SEFPO represents more than 180,000 workers – a membership as diverse as Ontario itself, including people of many faiths and beliefs. What unites our membership is a deep concern about the devastating spiral of death and destruction in both Palestine and Israel.

As a social justice union, we believe that unions and the broader labour movement must fight for labour rights and human rights – not just at home, but everywhere. Our union has a long and proud record of actively contributing to the struggle against South African apartheid through the boycott of South African goods. We join many trade unions in the international labour movement in advocating for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against apartheid in Israel for the same reason – to boycott companies who profit from war and the retailers who sell their products.

The call to support BDS came forward as a resolution submitted to Convention by a broad and diverse coalition of OPSEU/SEFPO locals, Equity committees and an Area Council. Since deliberation was not completed by the close of Convention, this resolution was brought to the Executive Board – as is all unfinished Convention business – and passed.

OPSEU/SEFPO – alongside our national union, many other national unions, humanitarian organizations, and faith groups – continues to call for an immediate ceasefire, and the release of all hostages, political prisoners and civilians being held without charge. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found the state of Israel in violation of its obligations under the United Nations (UN) Genocide Convention. As such, OPSEU/SEFPO is calling on the state of Israel to comply with international law, including United Nations Resolution 194, which calls for the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

Like all Canadians, we want to see an end to this terrible cycle of violence in the Middle East.

Our members share a diverse range of opinions and positions, but our commitment remains steadfast: to work tirelessly to fight against antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination – not just in our members’ workplaces, but in our communities, our union structures and beyond.

 

Read statement at: https://opseu.org/news/opseu-sefpo-statement-on-boycott-divestment-and-sanctions-bds-campaign/239873/

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