Unions as Humanitarian NGOs

"More than half of Gaza's population has been forced to flee their homes, and reports say more than 14,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began following the October 7 Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis."

"Limited humanitarian aid has been permitted to enter Gaza, and with the health system facing potential collapse due to lack of basic necessities and fuel to keep the hospitals operating, it's imperative to move as much relief, water, and medical supplies into Gaza as quickly as possible."

PSAC website statement 

A decision by Canada's largest government workers' union to donate $50,000 to two Gaza-based charities is raising the ire of some members. Photo by Blair Gable/Reuters

Canada is in a medical-delivery crisis. A substantial number of Canadians are unable to access the services of a primary health provider; family general practitioners are in short supply. Hospitals are unable to cope with meeting the medical/health requirements of patients needing surgery, and wait times have become dangerously long. People are dying, waiting for urgent surgeries to alleviate their serious medical conditions. Hospital emergency rooms are closing down, incapable of coping with the demands on their services. This parlous condition in Canada has not attracted the attention of the largest public union in Canada, however.

Universally, the focus of public service unions has been to advocate on behalf of workers, in factories, on large farming conglomerates, in public service through government auspices, hospitals, universities; in every sphere of human commerce. Better wages, improved working conditions, contract negotiations, intermediaries in disputes between employees and employers. But now unions have focused their attention globally,  in support of communities abroad; lately the issue of Palestinian welfare has garnered the helpful attention of unions like the PSAC.

 

"Aid for any people who need help is important, but in Gaza -- as long as Hamas is in control --the likelihood of diversion for terror needs to be considered."

"[UNRWA has a] disastrous track record [and benefits from a close and overt association with Hamas that has lasted years]."

"The Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which is part of the International Red Cross framework, is also problematic, as shown in the use of their ambulances as taxis for terrorists. Given these factors, the objections of union members is entirely justified."

Gerald Steinberg, president, NGO Monitor

"Over the past eight years, our union has really lost its focus."

"We have radical activists in executive positions that are driving the union in a direction that the members don't agree with."

Anthony, PSAC member

"The issue to me is Gaza, which implies Hamas."

"To say [donated money] doesn't go to them in any form -- if it's going to Gaza, it goes through Hamas."

"That's their government, that's who control things."

Jerry, PSAC member

The decision by Canada's largest government workers' union to make a donation to the value of $50,000 to two charities based in Gaza has raised the indignant ire of some of their members who say privately (anonymously for fear of repercussions) that they're fed up with funding politically charged causes at the same time that their concerns go unaddressed.The Public Service Alliance of Canada announced late last month two $25,000 donations in support of two charities: The Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Many PSAC members state their concern over the increasing use of PSAC funding and resources for social activism serving no benefit to the membership and most particularly on the divisive issue represented by Israel and Palestine. Many members express their concern that any funding sent to Gaza will inevitably end up in the hands of the terrorist group Hamas. "They're not focusing on the issues that I feel are necessary for a trade union. Workers have been left out in the cold", one member stated.

Those members who have spoken of the issue and their concerns have received responses that are dismissive, describing them as bigots, leading inevitably to a toxic environment, in particular for Jewish  union members. "They always say we could face consequences (for speaking out), we could face suspension from the union. There are a lot of people who want to opt out of the union, but we're not allowed", Anthony complained.

Members who dared to raise their concerns were ostracized. "You're diminished, you're put in the margins" said union member Sam. "You're called names, people will literally make it so you cannot speak, or communicate, that your opinion has no worth, and that your questions are stupid". The complainants point out it is not the regional but the national leadership they accuse of placing activism at the forefront, in particular after October 7. 

Far more important issues to the union members are being ignored, which includes the faulty computerized Phoenix pay issues, remote work, and the ongoing debacle with public servants' benefits with the health plan being shifted to another insurance company, and many employees of the public service finding themselves in a position of struggling to get their medical and pharmaceutical services reimbursed.

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) striking government workers walk a picket line around the front lawn of Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

"The unrelenting bombardment of civilians in Gaza along with the lack of water, electricity, medicine and food has created an urgent humanitarian crisis."

"PSAC's donation joins that of many other organizations and Canadians who have supported humanitarian efforts throughout the ongoing conflict."

PSAC statement