Original Post From  CUPE BC 
https://cupe.ca/event/trans-day-remembrance

In 2021, there were 375 reports of trans people being murdered around the world, and those are only the deaths we know about. The vast majority of victims were trans women. Most were Black, Indigenous or racialized. Many were killed in their jobs as sex workers.

Despite ongoing hatred, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people continue to be at the forefront of social justice movements. In the face of growing and coordinated hate campaigns, CUPE members across the country are joining the fight to defend trans rights. Recently, governments across the country have been playing politics with trans people’s safety. Policy makers in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are trying to force education workers to out trans and questioning youth, putting them at increased risk for violence and isolation in their homes. In September, Conservative Party of Canada convention delegates supported efforts to ban young people from accessing life-saving gender-affirming care, and to exclude trans women from women’s spaces. CUPE members in all sectors are fighting back.

Trans Day of Remembrance serves as a stark reminder of how much work we still must do. We are committed to continuing to make our workplaces, unions and communities safer for trans people.

We at CUPE 1908 are so proud of all of our scholarship applicants.  These remarkable people are our future leaders, and we are pleased to announce our 2023 CUPE 1908 Scholarship winners!

Congratulations, in no particular order, go to:

Lamara Christie

Devyn Hughes

Louis Moore

Grady Paling

Ben Stalker

Original Message From

Marc Hancock and Candace Rennick, CUPE National

CUPE 1908 Communications would like to congratulate our wonderful and dedicated president, Loreen Matousek, on her recent photography showcase in CUPE BC’s Public Employees Magazine, Summer 2022 edition. You can view her work on page 7. The digital version of the magazine has been embedded below. Click the full screen button on the bottom right for the best viewing experience. Alternatively, click this link Public Employee – Summer 2022 – CUPE BC to find this and more on the CUPE BC website. Congratulations Loreen!

Original Letter From

Marc Hancock and Candace Rennick, CUPE National

Sisters, brothers and friends,

For over four months, two of our members have been held in the Dominican Republic without charge, in fear for their lives, simply for doing their duty and following the law.

On April 5, flight attendants Christina Carello and Alexander Rozov – members of CUPE Local 4059 – were detained along with the rest of their crew after discovering and reporting suspected contraband on their plane in the Dominican Republic.

They followed their duty to the letter, and aviation experts say the crew’s actions likely averted an air disaster due to the weight and location of the contraband. Instead of receiving thanks for their actions, Christina and Alexander and the rest of their crew have been denied their freedom, and their rights to justice and safety. Dominican prosecutors want them held in prison for up to 12 months as an investigation drags on.

For four long months, CUPE’s Airline Division has been part of an ongoing effort to help bring Christina and Alexander home. Today, we are calling on our broader CUPE membership to join this effort. Together, we must step up the pressure on Dominican authorities and on the Canadian government.

Christina and Alexander are part of our union family, and we must do what we can to bring them home to their lives and their loved ones in Canada.

Each of us can do our part and make a difference. We are urging all members and locals to visit the website to support Christina and Alexander today.

In solidarity,

MARK HANCOCK National President

CANDACE RENNICK National Secretary-Treasurer