As we head to the polls today to vote for the mayor of Toronto, we want to remind the membership that during the May 15th GMM, our members voted to strongly denounce the endorsement of Mark Saunders for mayor of Toronto by CUPE local 5089 (representing approximately 175 special constables, fare inspectors and protective services guards of the TTC). Saunders’ transit policy plan promises to increase the number of special constables and their patrolling powers, and to further shield them from accountability by transferring responsibility away from the TTC and towards the Toronto Police Service. As a current member of CUPE 3903 identified, if implemented this plan would result in more frequent and more hostile interactions and greater scrutiny of transit users, especially of those who are racialized, young, mentally ill or experiencing mental distress, and/or unhoused. As a commuter campus located in one of the most socioeconomically marginalized communities in Toronto, this plan would mean exposing our members, our students, and members of our broader community who depend on public transit to get to work or to study to further violence.
Our membership also re-affirmed our local’s position to kick cops, special constables, fare inspectors, and other state security forces out of CUPE and the labour movement more broadly. Due to the historical and current role they play in the violent control, incarceration, and suppression of striking workers and students, especially of those who are Indigenous, Black, mentally ill or experiencing mental distress, unhoused, and otherwise labelled as ‘dangerous,’ those employed as state security forces cannot be considered workers or allies to the labour movement.
While our local is not endorsing a particular candidate at this time, we want to remind our members to keep in mind what is at stake for our most marginalized peers and students as we head to the polls today.