Communist Workers Circle

CUPE Local 2, the union of electrical workers at the TTC, was suddenly taken into administration by the National union two weeks ago, just one day after its new contract was finalized with the employer. All executives were removed from office and ordered to relinquish union property and data to National, which offered no justification for its actions. The union was plunged into chaos. Since then, the employer has been violating the collective agreement with impunity, as workers were suddenly forced onto grueling new schedules for FIFA coverage.

On Tuesday, National finally held two 'info meetings' on zoom to explain the situation to the members and former executives of Local 2. Neither the supporters nor the opponents of the old leadership were satisfied with the excuses offered by the reps, who then faced the wrath of a united membership. One brother put forward a motion to petition National to overturn the administration order and recall a rep who was notorious for having shouted at the elected bargaining committee that they were 'fu***ng idiots' for trying to improve on an offer made by the employer during the recent round of negotiations. Pathetically, the motion was declared out of order.

Supporters and opponents of the old leadership of Local 2 have taken to the CUPE Constitution and local bylaws to understand what happened and justify their interpretations. But constitutions don't put locals under administration. Neither do bylaws or financial reports. People do.

The reasons for the administration are *political* and must be fought on those terms. To that end, we reprint a recent statement by Local 2 Militant Voice, whose position the CWC is proud to support.

Updates on the situation continue to be posted at Unofficial Local 2

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It takes a lot more than the truth to win in the capitalist courts. We need to raise C$30,000 so please donate generously.

The verdict's false reference to Ty being 'party to an assault' is a direct threat to everyone's right to hold a picket line and protest. In the tradition of the labour movement — An injury to one is an injury to all!

Support Ty's Legal Appeal! Stop Project Resolute! Please support us by making a contribution!

Our comrade Tynan Liebert was just convicted for his service to the cause. He will now receive a criminal record and probation that includes anti-democratic restrictions on his rights to participate in protests and own fi****ms.

He had the following to say in response—

'By sentencing me, judge Rick Libman has merely convicted the judiciary of being a machine for the repression of labour by capital, and he has proven that its function is inseparable from imperialism and the zionist project in Palestine.

'The cause of Palestine is the cause of labour, and there is nothing I would not do for that cause. However, I did not do what the court said. I am innocent of assault and guilty only of having participated in a protest that shut down a fundraiser for Liberal Party war criminal Christya Freeland.

'I am proud to be among the growing masses of people that are guilty of opposing genocide and exploitation. I did it for Palestine. I did it for Donbass. I did it for the working class, and I will do it again. So will many others, until the system meets its inevitable demise — when our imperialist ruling class is overthrown and its zionist entity, expunged from Palestine'

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An appeal is the works. Stay posted for how to support

Queen & University shut down for Mskwassin Agnew and all Gaza flotilla detainees. Free Palestine. Free Indigenous peoples