As this year comes to a close, we take time to reflect on the immense struggle, resilience, and collective effort that have defined our union’s work. This has been a challenging year for working people, marked by austerity, political setbacks, and rising attacks on workers and social justice movements. Yet it has also been a year of courage, organizing, and deep solidarity. Through it all, our members have shown what it truly means to stand together.

Across Canada, workers have faced escalating pressure from federal and provincial governments that continue to prioritize corporate interests over people. In Ontario and federally, decisions rooted in austerity and privatization have intensified precarity across the university, public, and non-profit sectors. Chronic underfunding, stagnant wages, increasing workloads, and the erosion of public services have become the norm—especially in post-secondary education, where workers are expected to sustain institutions while being denied the dignity and security they deserve.

This year, CUPE Local 1281 stood firmly with our members on the picket line. We are incredibly proud of staff at the York University Faculty Association (YUFA), our members, for taking collective action to defend unionized work within their workplace, democratic workplace structures, and dignity at work. These workers have been striking to improve health and safety in the workplace, job security, and protections against harassment and discrimination. Their strike reaffirms the power of collective action, and as their union, CUPE Local 1281 stands fully and unequivocally with YUFA staff.

Beyond our local, we witnessed a devastating loss within the broader labour movement with the defeat of Fred Hahn from the national CUPE Executive Board. This moment reflects a deeply troubling rise in anti-Palestinian racism, Islamophobia, and coordinated attacks on social justice movements across Canada. These attacks, amplified by a growing far right, aim to silence principled union leadership, fracture solidarity, and punish those who refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice. The targeting of Fred Hahn was an attack on international solidarity, anti-racism, and the moral courage that the labour movement requires. In this same spirit of unwavering commitment, CUPE Local 1281 stands firmly in solidarity with our member Helyeh Doutaghi, and with all workers facing repression, criminalization, or retaliation for advocating for justice, human rights, and Palestinian solidarity.

This year’s federal election further highlighted the work ahead, with progressive candidates losing ground at a time when working people urgently need a strong political alternative. Rebuilding a progressive movement in Canada will require sustained organizing, political education, and deep connection to communities. This is work that unions like ours continue to lead.

CUPE Local 1281 is proud to be one of the most politically active unions in Canada. We fight not only for our members, but for the dignity of everyone. Our union is made up of incredibly talented, caring, and committed activists who understand that solidarity does not stop at the workplace. It extends into our communities, our movements, and our collective vision for a more just world.

The Executive Committee of CUPE Local 1281 wants to remind all members that we see the work you do. Much of it is unpaid, often unseen, and always essential. We see the organizing, the care, the political labour, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. We are deeply proud of you.

As we move into the new year, we do so with resolve and hope. The challenges ahead are real—but so is our collective power. Every gain working people have ever made has come through moments like this, when solidarity is chosen again and again.

We are proud to be members of CUPE Local 1281.
We are proud to stand with striking CUPE 1281 members at YUFA.
And we are proud to be part of the best union ever.
We wish all our members a restful and joyful holiday season, and a strong, hopeful new year.

In solidarity, always,
CUPE Local 1281 Executive Committee