Volunteers Needed: Lend a Hand, Share a Smile

We received this appeal from Brock’s Outreach Officer. Let’s come together and show this group CUPE4207/Brock hospitality.

Hi Badgers! We need your help!

The team at Hadiya’dagenhahs have been working hard to organize supports for the many Manitoba wildfire evacuees still stuck in Niagara Falls. Brock will be hosting groups of Indigenous youth on campus 4-8 pm on Thursdays throughout August. Volunteers are needed to help facilitate activities.

Starting Thursday July 31st, Brock will be hosting groups of Indigenous youth (ages 12-17) who are evacuees from the fires in northern Manitoba for fun activities and sports.

We urgently need volunteers to help watch and guide these wonderful young people during their activities.

Volunteers are needed Thursday evenings until the end of August from 4:30-8:00pm on campus at the Ian Beddis Gym.

If you enjoy spending time with youth, want to learn about Indigenous culture, or just want to help some people in need, please consider RSVPing today!

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Volunteer info: https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/297397 

Additionally, a link to a recent CBC article about the evacuees’ situation: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pukatawagan-evacuees-two-month-1.7593106

Bargaining Updates

Hello Unit 1 and Unit 5 members but all members generally,

The Bargaining Committee is posting updates to our website. Follow along with these updates on our page for Unit 1 here. Click on the unit 5 tab above to learn more about the formation of this unit and their work in bargaining. Remember than anyone can sign up for CAT training to help rally our members! See the below post or our social media for information and sign up for CAT training here.

Contract Action Team (C.A.T.) Training

Hello members! We are looking for CUPE 4207 members who are leaders in their department to take the C.A.T Training. A Contract Action Team (CAT) is a group of union members who work together to engage and activate members during contract negotiations. CATs amplify the work of the Negotiations Committee and support the bargaining team. It is up to all members to help keep one another informed and help reach our goals during bargaining. Sign up for any one of the three dates by email us here.

Sign up July 18th Friday 12-3 OR 6-9pm OR Sat July 19th 9am – 12pm. Snacks will be provided. The training is located at CUPE Regional headquarters on Hannover Drive.

CUPE 4207 Statement on Canadian Multiculturalism Day – June 27, 2025

Today, on Multiculturalism Day in Canada, CUPE 4207 proudly recognizes and celebrates
the diverse cultural communities that enrich our campuses and strengthen our union.
Within the university sector, our members reflect a wide range of languages, traditions, and
lived experiences. From administrative and academic support staff to maintenance, food
services, and technical workers, it is this diversity that helps make our universities vibrant,
inclusive places to work, learn, and grow.
Multiculturalism is not just part of our national identity—it is a foundational value in our
union. We believe that equity, inclusion, and respect for cultural diversity are essential to the
fight for fair workplaces and just communities. Today, we honour the contributions of
Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, racialized workers, and all those who bring different
perspectives to our collective work and strengthen our solidarity.
As we celebrate Multiculturalism Day, let us also recommit ourselves to challenging racism,
discrimination, and systemic barriers wherever they exist—on our campuses, in our
communities, and within our own union structures.
Together, through unity in diversity, we continue to build a stronger, more equitable future for
all.


In solidarity,
Kay Waboso.
Equity Officer CUPE Local 4207
Brock University

CUPE Local 4207– Pride Month Statement | June 2025

June is Pride Month, a time to honour and celebrate the voices, history, and
contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. CUPE Local 4207 in the Niagara Region
proudly stands in solidarity with all 2SLGBTQI+ workers, their families, and allies. As
public sector workers, we are united in our fight for justice, equity, and dignity in
every workplace and every community.
Pride began as a protest and remains a powerful reminder that while progress has
been made, the fight for inclusion and safety—especially for trans, non-binary, and
racialized queer people—must continue. In Niagara CUPE 4207 is committed to
fostering safer, inclusive spaces where everyone is free to be who they are without
fear or discrimination.

Get Engaged This Pride Month in Niagara:
 Join Local Pride Events:
o Support or participate in Niagara Pride Week (June 22–30) and other
local events like:
o Niagara Falls Pride Parade & Festival
o St. Catharines Pride in the Park
o Pride Flag Raising Ceremonies in Local Municipalities
(Check out https://www.prideniagara.com/ for event listings)

 Host or Attend an LGBTQ+ Awareness Session
o Work with your CUPE Equality Committee or staff rep to organize a
training or discussion on 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion in your workplace.

 Audit Workplace Practices for Inclusion
o Encourage reviews of internal policies to ensure they reflect the needs
of LGBTQ+ members—like access to gender-inclusive washrooms,
inclusive benefits, and anti-discrimination language.

 Fly the Flag
o Display Pride symbols in union offices, bulletin boards, and public
service spaces to signal support and solidarity.

 Support Local LGBTQ+ Organizations

o Consider volunteering with or donating to groups like Pride Niagara
https://www.prideniagara.com/ OUTniagara https://outniagara.org/ , or
Quest Community Health Centre https://questchc.ca/ , which provides
services to LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.

 Be an Advocate Year-Round
o Support municipal and provincial policies that promote human rights,
healthcare equity, and housing access for 2SLGBTQI+ people.
Pride is not just a celebration—it’s a call to action. Let’s continue to stand up, speak
out, and build a Niagara that reflects our union’s values: solidarity, respect, and
equality for all.


In solidarity,
Kay Waboso.
Equity Officer CUPE Local 4207
Brock University

Give CUPE 1750 WSIB a Fair Deal!

Doug Ford is failing injured workers by locking out WSIB CUPE 1750. They are now 4 weeks into a strike! That means injured workers are not being looked after, all because Ford does not want to offer those members fair wages and working conditions. Come out tomorrow to MPP Stevens headquarters to protest with our friends and send a letter here to get the government to make a deal!

June is National Indigenous History Month

Hello 4207 Members,

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a meaningful time to honour and celebrate the rich heritage, resilience, and contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.

This month offers us all important opportunities to:

  • Learn about diverse Indigenous cultures and languages
  • Acknowledge the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism
  • Celebrate Indigenous excellence in all aspects of our lived experience, for example in areas such as arts, governance, science, and environmental stewardship
  •  Support Indigenous-led initiatives and voices

Whether through community events, storytelling, film, literature, music, or education, taking time to participate, reflect and engage helps foster a deeper understanding and creates space for deep reflection regarding reconciliation and calls to action. Here are some meaningful ways you can participate in and celebrate

National Indigenous History Month:

1. Learn from Indigenous Voices

  • Read books by Indigenous authors like Thomas King, Cherie Dimaline, Richard Wagamese, or Leanne Betasamosake Simpson.
  •  Watch films or documentaries such as: We Were Children (residential schools) Beans (Oka Crisis) The Grizzlies (Inuit youth resilience) Wind River (MMIWG)
  • Listen to podcasts like:  This Place (CBC),  Métis in Space  Unreserved (CBC Radio)

2. Acknowledge the Land

  • Learn about the traditional territory you live on using tools like Native Land Digital.
  •  Practice land acknowledgements genuinely, not just as a formality.

3. Support Indigenous Creators & Businesses

  • Shop from Indigenous-owned businesses, artists, and clothing designers.
  •  Follow and share Indigenous content creators on social media to help amplify their voices.

4. Attend Events & Ceremonies

  • Join local or virtual events for National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21, 2025).
  •  Participate in cultural workshops, powwows, art exhibitions, or storytelling circles.

5. Educate Yourself & Others

  • Take a free online course: “Indigenous Canada” from the University of Alberta (Coursera) “The Path” from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
  •  Host a learning session in your workplace or community.

6. Support Reconciliation & Justice

  • Learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
  •  Support efforts around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

7. Learn About Indigenous Communities and Indigenous Organizations in the Niagara Region.

  • Explore the programs and services offered by local Indigenous organizations:
  • Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC)
  •  Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC)
  •  Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Niagara Chapter
  •  Native Women of Niagara (NCNW)
  •  Indigenous Youth Employment Training (NPAAMB)
  •  Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC)
  •  De Dwa Da Dehs Nye’s Aboriginal Health Centre

In humble Solidarity.

Kay Waboso Equity Officer CUPE Local 4207 Brock University