-

CUPE Ontario Leaders Pledge Solidarity With York Region Paramedic Fired for Her Support for Anti-War Rally

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leaders of Ontario’s largest union have unanimously condemned the firing of one of their fellow executive board members, vowing to support the dedicated frontline paramedic who spoke out on social media in favour of an anti-war rally in Toronto. Board members have also called for her full reinstatement by York Region.

A Facebook comment by CUPE Local 4900 member Katherine Grzejszczak included criticisms of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. On June 20 she was fired by York Region Paramedic Services management, after being questioned about the comment.

“Katherine is a strong, brave and principled CUPE member who was elected democratically by fellow CUPE Ontario members to be a leader in our union. She is also someone whose life’s work is saving others from harm, and yet she’s being punished for using her voice to oppose the mass harm of others,” said CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn.

CUPE Ontario’s executive board was unequivocal that this discriminatory treatment of a CUPE member is an affront to every worker who believes in the right to speak out for peace and justice, or on any matter of conscience. Executive members also pledged their support for efforts to overturn the termination.

“To dedicate your professional life to emergency response and preserving life, and then to be fired for giving voice to opposition to an ongoing genocide, exposes chilling contradictions,” said CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer Yolanda McClean. “It’s the inconsistent position of York Region Paramedic Services that makes no sense.”

“As outraged as we are about Katherine’s unjust termination, this dangerous situation has broader impacts,” said Hahn. “No employer should be able to silence any worker for challenging injustice.”

“This is about the Charter right of workers, as persons of conscience, to speak out against genocide and war. Katherine’s comment on Facebook aligns completely with CUPE Ontario’s longstanding, democratically decided anti-war principles.”

MU:cj/cope491

Contacts

For more information, contact Mary Unan, CUPE Communications
cell 647-390-9839, email munan@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, contact Mary Unan, CUPE Communications
cell 647-390-9839, email munan@cupe.ca

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

Town of Grand Falls-Windsor Terminates Local 1349 President for Participating in Elections

Grand Falls-Windsor, NL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier is calling out the town of Grand Falls-Windsor today for terminating a long-standing employee for executing her right as a Canadian taxpayer to participate in local elections. This move follows the local issuing their notice to bargain. “Every citizen of Grand Falls-Windsor has the right to participate in and comment on local elections. Working for the town doesn’t suddenly take away that right,” s...

UCP fails Deborah Onwu, care workers

EDMONTON, AB--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the fall session of the Alberta Legislature set to end next week, it’s obvious that the United Conservative government will not be bringing in legislation called for in the judicial inquiry into a Calgary care worker’s death. In October 2019, Deborah Onwu, an employee of Woods Homes Society, was stabbed 19 times while working alone with Brandon Newman – then a resident of the society. Newman had complex needs, a history of violence, and assorted cognitive and...

MEDIA ADVISORY: Long Term Care Workers Hold Information Picket in Sydney on Friday

SYDNEY, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Long term care workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will hold an information picket outside the Mayflower Mall in Sydney on Friday. They are gathering to raise awareness for bargaining, which aims to bring a nearly two-year expired contract up to date, and ask for support from the members of the public. WHAT: Demonstration and information picket WHEN: December 5, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM WHERE: 800 Grand Lake Road, Sydney (map) WHO: Lo...
Back to Newsroom