The CUPE Cast

Airlines won’t fly without flight attendants, but did you know that they work 35 hours per month unpaid while they carry out their duties? In this episode of CUPE Cast, Brianna and Brittany discuss the airline sector campaign and the “Unpaid Work Won’t Fly” Campaign. CUPE Airline’s Division Wesley Lesosky sits down for an exciting interview to raise awareness of some of the issues flight attendants face. 

Show notes:

March 8th is an exciting day for women and gender oppressed folks because it is International Women's Day!!! A day to celebrate all that women have and continue to accomplish! 

For this episode of the CUPE Cast, we are going to focus on the contributions certain women have made to the labour movement, events and how you can celebrate International Women's Day as well as messages from CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer, Candace Rennick, and Marilena Fox, CUPE Ontario Women's Committee Chair. So, get ready for another exciting episode!

With Black History Month right around the corner, we will be taking a deep dive in this episode and discussing why Black History Month is celebrated in February.  We will also be  joined by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist Ontario Chapter’s First Vice-President Christopher Wilson. 

Why is Black History month celebrated in February?

In this month’s episode, we explore the importance of accessibility in the workplace, focusing on the AODA Act and discussing disability rights, health and safety measures, creating an ability-smart workplace, and the Duty to Accommodate. The episode also highlights the political parties' response to the AODA alliance’s questionnaire to addresses barriers, and an interview with Brenda Cervantes, a member of the Workers with Disabilities Committee and how CUPE Ontario, is committed to keep workers informed and empowered.

Get ready for a Halloween treat!

In episode 30 of CUPE Cast, titled "No Tricks, Just Treats," we're diving headfirst into a special Halloween celebration, union style. Join us as we unravel the sweetest treats that are union-made for your trick-or-treat adventures, and get inspired with creative, union-themed Halloween costume ideas. And, brace yourself for some spine-tingling union stories that will add an extra layer of intrigue to your Halloween celebrations.

Don't miss this festive, unionized Halloween episode! Tune in to CUPE Cast Episode 30: "No Tricks, Just Treats."

Shownotes: 

This podcast episode explores the critical intersection of climate justice and labour unions. The discussion highlights how the climate emergency is not just an environmental issue but a profound health and safety concern for everyone, impacting all of us, irrespective of our backgrounds or workplaces. The episode explores the role of labor unions in advocating for climate justice, emphasizing the importance of collective action. Furthermore, the podcast offers insights into practical steps that individuals, communities, and organizations can take to combat climate change while ensuring equitable outcomes for all. We hope to inspire listeners that it’s not too late to create a more sustainable and just future for all. Content warning: there is mention of death, disaster, and sexual assault. 

Show Notes 

Climate Emergency Unit - Good Green Jobs for All campaign

Recorded live co-hosted by Niagara District CUPE Council Women's Committee

It’s another hot union summer, summer of the strike, and so many of these movements are women led! And don’t forget the Orcas too! Let’s explore what’s going down, because this Barbie is a Union Member. Recorded in front of a live audience, it’s Episode 28! Strong Women Summer!

Links: 

Local 2577 – Workers at Family & Children’s Services Lanark, Leeds & Grenville

August 1 marks Emancipation Day — a day signifying the enactment of the Slave Abolition Act of 1833 and the abolishment of slavery across the British Empire. But what does it mean to observe Emancipation Day? In this episode, the CUPE Cast hosts are joined by CUPE Ontario's Racial Justice Chair, Valerie Joseph, to discuss the origins of Emancipation Day and why it matters to reflect on the enslavement of African people and its impacts on Canada's past, present and future. From carnivals to underground train rides and everything in between, it's time for us to jump up, wave and take action!

Show notes 

A Different BookList Cultural Centre (now known as Blackhurst Cultural Centre) — Emancipation Day "Underground Freedom Train Ride"

It’s Pride Month, and many CUPE members work in public services that host pride flag raisings, Drag Storytimes, 2SLGBTQIA+ school clubs, and more but these services are under attack. As the backlash and rhetoric against 2SLGBTQIA+ people has grown, so have the threats and bigotry around pride and drag. We will explore how we can ensure safer spaces and organize support on the ground. And you’ll hear first hand experience from a fabulous drag queen, Violet S. Parks, who has done many drag shows at libraries.

Shownotes:

How to start your own flying squad on Instagram: 

It’s Convention season at CUPE Ontario! Let’s talk “inside baseball” when it comes to all things CUPE Ontario Convention: a complete overview of all things convention. No strikes - only home runs! Listen in for everything you wanted to know about CUPE Ontario Convention - let’s play ball! 

Are unions bringing sexy back? What’s cooler than being cool?! Having a union card or working to organize a union in your workplace! This month we have an updated chat on all the reasons why it’s super sexy to be in a union and where to find some union love in pop culture and more.  Because when you’re in a union you can buy your own flowers! 

Show Notes:

Are you fed up with the rich getting richer, while workers struggle to get by? This month the CUPE Cast is saying Enough is Enough! The rich are richer than ever. Workers are working harder than ever for low wages. The rich rule by dividing us. Together, we have power! Workers are saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We will discuss just that - how to get involved in your own campaign, ongoing strikes and movements throughout the world, and sharing some real data with you about who is impacted the most while greedy corporations profit.

Shownotes:

This month the CUPE Cast is discussing the topic, Black Workers Matter. 

In this episode we will be covering everything from the Black Class Action Lawsuit, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the Black Sleeping Car Porters, and more. This is also an extra special episode where we are welcoming our brand new CUPE Cast co-host, Brianna Plummer and saying goodbye to CUPE Cast co-host Elise. 

Links for show notes: 

Black Sleeping Car Porters 

Often when people think of unions, they think of higher wages and safer working conditions - which are absolutely true. But unions also fight for equity, equality and for the human rights of all. This month’s episode is a conversation with activist and CUPE National human rights representative, Kimalee Phillip on why human rights are union rights. Kimalee Phillip is an experienced social justice and organizational learning consultant, facilitator, writer, educator and researcher. Her work is deeply grounded in, and informed by Black and Caribbean feminist thought and practice and this conversation reflects all of this and more.

Show Notes:

Everything you needed to know about Bill 28 in one spot! 

This fall has been a whirlwind with OSBCU CUPE Education Workers bargaining, the Conservative Government passing Bill 28, the possibility of a General Strike and the repeal of Bill 28 - leaving us all wondering what the heck is happening here in Ontario! 

Hopefully this month's episode will help clear things up. We will take you step by step through Bill 28 and events leading up to it as well as what is happening at the time of recording this episode in regards to OSBCU CUPE Education Workers bargaining. 

Show Notes: 

The new CUPE Cast is here!

What’s your favourite picket line food?

In CUPE Cast Episode 18, Tiffany, Brittany, and Elise chat about picket lines, strikes, what to do when you see a picket line, how to support workers on strike, famous picket lines and more!

Show Notes:

This month the CUPE Cast discusses the future of our labour movement… young workers! 

Young workers have taken union organizing by storm, everywhere from Sephora, to Starbucks, to Chipotle and beyond. The CUPE Cast also discusses who is considered a young worker, what are the key issues impacting Generation Z, how young workers leverage social media sites like TikTok, and the "new" Generation Z concept of quiet quitting.

Show notes / links:

Uber Eats, DoorDash, Skip the Dishes and Foodora. You probably have heard of all these online apps that can help you get food delivered straight to your door. You can shop from hundreds of restaurants and not even leave your couch. These apps are fast, easy and right at your fingertips. They were popular pre-pandemic, but then boomed even more during the pandemic. But what do we know about the workers? The people behind the apps. The people who pick up actually deliver your food to you? In this episode Elise, Tiffany and Brittany talk about who they are and what challenges they face on a day to day basis when just trying to make ends meet for their family plus have an interview with Jennifer Scott, President of Gig Workers United.  

Links:

In this month’s episode, Tiffany, Brittany, and Elise chat about union revitalization, strikes across Europe known as the Summer of Our Discontent, organizing for possible strike or job action, and strike myths. They will also conduct an exciting interview with the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) President Laura Walton on the work they are doing organizing for power.

Show Notes:

In this CUPE Cast episode Elise, Tiffany and Brittany chat about June being Indigenous History month. They focus on Indigenous celebrations, events, meaningful land acknowledgments, and  they have an interview with Leila Paugh - the CUPE Ontario Indigenous Council Chair. 

Content warning: They cover the Missing and murdered indigenous women, girls ad two spirit people as well as the residential school system. 

Links: 

Experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women in Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00004-eng.htm

In this episode Tiffany, Brittany and Elise are joined by a LIVE audience for a special episode with the Niagara District CUPE Councils Women In Solidarity committee. They discuss the importance of Women Committees, menstrual equity, the history of Women’s contribution in the Labour Movement and have a live Q&A with the audience.

The CUPE Cast would like to give a huge shoutout and thank you to the Niagara District CUPE Councils Women In Solidarity committee for all of their support and work in bringing this live episode to life.

Show notes:

In this episode of the CUPE Cast, Tiffany, Brittany and Elise were inspired by Valentine's Day and share their 10 reasons why they love the labour movement. Everything from fighting for child labour laws and fighting back against the bad bosses are discussed. Hopefully, at the end of this episode, you love the labour movement as much as they do.

Transcription:

Blurb: In this month’s CUPE Cast episode, Brittany, Tiffany and Elise talk about victories of the Canadian Labour Movement! They discuss wins ranging from Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project unionizing with CUPE to General Motors producing PPE and the minimum wage.

Show Notes:

Tiffany, Brittany, and Elise explore the importance of women in the labour movement and how to combat sexism. They discuss the We Believe You initiative of the CUPE Ontario Women's Committee, microaggressions, news coming out of Activision Blizzard and the 2020 Olympics, and more. With special guest Candace Rennick—CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer and candidate for CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer.  

Show links:

Sexism in Winnipeg’s Labour Movement.

Cole Rockarts, RankandFile