Announcements & Articles

CBTU Canada Statement on the Christchurch Mass Shootings

It is with broken hearts and extreme dismay that once again the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Canadian Chapter stands with those affected by the recent mass shootings of Muslim women, children and men in Christchurch, New Zealand. These victims were targeted by white supremacist terrorists as they prayed in their mosques. Our heartfelt condolences goes out to the families and to those affected by this most recent terrorist action. Far too often, Canadian Society has been forced to shed collective tears resulting from the manifestation of this form of hate throughout the world. The Islamic Center in Quebec City, Quebec, Mother Emanuel AME Church in in Charleston, South Carolina and the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are a few examples of some of history's darkest hours.

CBTU General Membership Meeting

Greetings CBTU Ontario Canada Chapter Members,

Our next Chapter GMM will be held Thursday February 28 from 6:30 - 8:30pm at the IBEW, 1377 Lawrence Ave. East in Toronto. Please see below the CBTU General Membership Meeting Agenda – Celebrating Black History Month, and please RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend in person:


  1. Presidents Report

  2. 2019 Events

  3. Presentation: Dinner and Politics

  4. Presentation: Albert Jackson, First Black Postal Worker (Reading from the book)

  5. Spoken Word

  6. Dance Performance

  7. Reception to follow


Prizes to be won!

Updated Scholarship Directory from the Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN)

Dear members,

Please take a moment to review the updated Scholarship Directory from the Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN). This is a scholarship directory for students who are pursuing post-secondary undergraduate education in Canada. Although the deadline dates listed are for 2018, many of these are annual scholarships. The contact information for the organizations are contained within. Thank you.

CBTU Statement On the Canadian Postal Labour Action

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Canada stands with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in their struggle to achieve a fair collective agreement. The outstanding issue of pay equity between the predominantly female rural suburban mail carriers (RSMC) and the predominantly male letter carriers is an issue that is close to the heart of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Whereas the gender wage gap for racialized women in Canada is more than 37%. CBTU Canada believes that it is the duty of Canada's Labour movement to work towards bridging the gap. It is for that reason that we stand side by side with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in their struggle to level the playing field as they work towards gender equity in the workplace.

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Statement on the Passing of Bromley Armstrong

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Canada Chapter adds its voice to those of countless others mourning the recent passing of Bromley Armstrong.

A core value of CBTU Canada is to seek to "fulfill the dream of Black trade unionists, both living and deceased, who throughout our labour history in Canada have courageously and unremittingly struggled to build a national movement that brings our collective strength and varied talents to bare in an unending effort to achieve economic, political and social justice for all". This passage taken from our mission statement can accurately be surmised through the life and the legacy of our brother Bromley Armstrong.

CBTU Ontario Post-Election Report

The Coalition Of Black Trade Unionists, Ontario Canada Chapter has released our
detailed post-election analysis.

In summary, Doug Ford has formed a majority government but he does not speak for our community. Black votes mattered and resulted in increased representation within the legislature and helped the NDP form the opposition but it is clear that the voices of our community remain marginalized and the corridors of political power remain a white enclave of privilege and power.

CBTU Helps Build a School in Trelawney, JA

CBTU-Canada in partnership with Food for the Poor, Helping Hands and the Carpenters Union traveled from Toronto to Jamaica to help build a school in the parish of Trelawney. In doing so CBTU-Canada contributed to the transformation of what was previously the vision of many into the fruition of generations to come.

CBTU President Statement on the Janus v. AFSCME Decision

Supreme Court Rules Against Workers

Statement by Rev. Terry Melvin
President, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

Today, June 27, the Supreme Court of the United States decided to destroy workers’ voice and empower corporations with their ruling in the Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 case. They have sided with big business and made a decision that infringes on our First Amendment Right to freely organize and speak up. Today America took another step backwards to a time when working men and women had no voice on the job, a time when it was ok to discriminate against people of color, women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ, a time when big business could pollute our waters and land with no repercussion. Today we stepped backwards, but looking forward the path is clear, we must organize, we must fight, and we must unite.