A Dangerous Attack on Workers Rights and Free Expression
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council strongly condemns the firing of Katherine Grzejszczak by York Region Paramedic Services on June 20th, 2025. Katherine – a dedicated paramedic and union member – was terminated for expressing her personal views in opposition to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. These comments were not made on the job, but on a CUPE Facebook post.
These views are not hate speech nor call for violence against any particular group. These are commonly held beliefs held by millions of Canadians and by many in the labour movement. Her comments specifically thanked the Toronto & York Region Labour Council for asking members to join demonstrations to stop illegal bombings against international law.
Speaking out against atrocities and genocide is not misconduct – it is courageous. Katherine’s termination is not only unjust, it’s tacit support for genocide and part of a disturbing pattern of silencing voices critical of Israel’s military actions. It sets a dangerous precedent for all workers opposed to war and wanting to exercise their right to political expression.
The employer, York Region Paramedic Services, is attacking:
- Free speech
- The right to oppose genocide
- Workers’ rights, including the right to fair representation and due process
- Anti-racism and solidarity, especially with regard to communities facing oppression and occupation
Labour has always stood on the side of justice. As workers and unionists we must not allow employers to punish people for their conscience.
We call on:
- York Region and York Region Paramedic Services to immediately reinstate Katherine Grzejszczak
- All unions to stand in solidarity against this repression
- Political leaders to oppose genocide and protect workers’ rights to speak against state violence and injustice
The labour movement will not yield.
In solidarity,
Toronto & York Region Labour Council
