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CUPE National President Mark Hancock and CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick made the following statement on the situation in Iran and the Middle East:

CUPE condemns the bombing of Iran and the escalation of hostilities across the Middle East. The implications for peace and security in the region, and around the world, are enormous.

We are deeply troubled by the recent escalation of violence involving military strikes and retaliatory attacks that have engulfed Iran and the broader Middle East, resulting in significant loss of life and the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and essential public services.

We unequivocally condemn the reported killing of more than 150 elementary school girls in Minab, along with education workers. The targeting of a school and the killing of children and workers is an unthinkable and unjustifiable crime and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

At the same time, we recognize that the people of Iran have long endured repression under an authoritarian mullah regime that denies fundamental democratic freedoms, suppresses independent unions, and silences dissent. Workers, women, students, and minority communities face intimidation, imprisonment, and violence for demanding basic rights and dignity.

Illegal military attacks only bring more devastation for workers and civilians whose lives have already been severely impacted by sanctions, economic hardship, and state repression. Escalating violence strengthens hardliners, deepens suffering, and undermines the democratic aspirations of ordinary people.

We express solidarity with the people of Iran, including the workers and trade unions who continue to fight for freedom, equality, and self-determination – free from both domestic authoritarianism and foreign military intervention.

We must defend the right of all people to self-determination, sovereignty, human rights, and protection under international law.

CUPE is sending its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and community members affected by the tragic violence yesterday in Tumbler Ridge, BC.

In moments like these, the pain felt by a small, close-knit community can be overwhelming. CUPE members across Canada stand in solidarity with the people of Tumbler Ridge as they mourn, support each other, and begin the difficult process of healing.

We recognize the first responders, health care workers, and community members who have answered the call in this time of crisis. Their professionalism and compassion are vital in helping communities get through these moments of tragedy.

CUPE stands in solidarity with the people of Iran, especially the workers and trade unions protesting in response to the country’s worsening economic crisis and social injustice.

Their demands include calls for justice, democracy, lower food prices, living wages, jobs, and an end to the rapid expansion of insecure and precarious work. The government has responded with severe repression, including mass killings, arrests and detention.

We mourn with the families of those killed, and join the global labour movement and Iranian labour organizations in calling on the government to release all political prisoners immediately and without conditions, end the executions, and stop the crackdown on protesters, workers and union activists.

Workers and trade unions in Iran have a long history of fighting for their labour and political rights. CUPE supports their right to mobilize without foreign military intervention and interference through sanctions or other means from the United States, Israel or other external powers. Foreign intervention would bring even more devastation for workers and civilians and undermine genuine self-determination.

CUPE is committed to worker-to-worker international solidarity. We will amplify the voices of unions inside Iran and defend persecuted trade unionists and political prisoners, and support the right of workers everywhere to organize freely, independently, and democratically.