Challenging racism and oppression in all its forms

This committee builds membership capacity to stand up for racial justice in our workplaces and communities. Work of the Committee includes ensuring racialized members are not subjected to
racism and discrimination, and promoting a diversity of representation in our union’s governing bodies.

The Committee aims to build strong relationships with community organizations and allies through participation in cultural events, and days of action.

Recognizing and celebrating racialized workers

This term, the Committee developed ways for locals to advance CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy, and supported participation in the BC government’s Anti-Racism Data Legislation consultation. Committee members contributed to CUPE BC’s submission to the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s Inquiry into Hate in the Pandemic, and undertook the research required for the Black History Month poster.

The Committee will continue to focus on recognizing the important contributions of racialized workers, and fighting racism in our workplaces and communities. The Committee recognizes intersectionality, and welcomes increased participation from all members who identify as racialized.

2023 – 2025 Committee Membership

Back row: Brandon Nakasato, Arielle Reid, Edward Parsotam (Chair), Cindy Ozouf (Co-Chair), Sharon Chu, Anusha Balram (Staff Advisor) & Minakshi Sidhu. Front row: Jaspreet Kaur (Recording Secretary), Ravneet Dhillon, Shaneza Bacchus, Sherry Ogasawara & Morning Star Trickey. Missing: Sita Kumar, Cynthia Schadt & Mathews Tharakan.

Black History Month

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and highlight the best of Black History and culture, and to honour the ancestors and leaders of Black communities, their accomplishments and their continued fight for liberation. The poster below was developed by the Committee to mark and celebrate the Black History Month 2023, and adds to the many other materials developed by CUPE, which can be accessed on CUPE’s national website here.