Steelworkers urge ONDP not to run candidate against Sarah Jama

The Ontario New Democratic Party is not listening to its membership, nor unions that have traditionally supported it. The party leadership expelled Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama because of her statements on the war in Gaza eleven months ago, which they said broke party discipline. She continues to sit as an independent and has been representing the people in her riding. She is very popular and has developed a vibrant riding association with active members. She is well known and outspoken on labour and social justice issues having been involved for many years in progressive causes in the city.

The Steelworkers in Hamilton, USW Local 1005, are in strong support. They spoke at her nomination meeting as an independent candidate, as did many other local activists and NDP members, including the president of the Hamilton and District Labour Council. Support for her has spread beyond the boundaries of the riding and the city itself.

The Steelworkers Toronto Area Council unanimously supported the following motion at a recent meeting of its workplaces in Toronto and York Region.

“Whereas the ONDP is poised to take on the anti-worker Doug Ford government in the next election

Whereas the Ford government censured Sarah Jama for her principled solidarity with Palestine 11 months ago

Whereas Sarah Jama, as an independent MPP, has worked closely with organized labour in her community and has won the endorsement of USW locals in her community

Whereas the labour movement has an interest in ensuring progressive pro labour voices do not run against one another and divide the impact of workers’ votes

Whereas Sarah Jama is planning to seek office as an Independent candidate in the upcoming election

Whereas pitting an ONDP candidate against Sara Jama will have a significant demobilizing effect on Hamilton Centre as well as many other ridings

Therefore, be it resolved that Steelworkers Toronto Area Council (STAC) urges Marit Stiles and the ONDP not to field a candidate against Sarah Jama in the riding of Hamilton Centre in the next election.”

The same motion was then passed by the Hamilton and District Labour Council.

Support for her is spreading. Avi Lewis, a founder of the LEAP Manifesto and a past NDP federal candidate, recently stated on social media, “Sarah is a principled politician who showed early courage and moral clarity in calling out Israel’s genocide. She inspired many new members and longtime NDPers across the country… who were then upset and demoralized when she was pushed aside.”

The party announced that there will be a candidate running against her which is a slap in the face to the many activists and trade unionists who have spoken out and have traditionally supported the NDP. There has to be continued pressure on the party to reverse this decision. Activists throughout the city of Hamilton and beyond are volunteering to help her. She is directing her supporters to concentrate on the issues that are affecting working people and build momentum for the movements that they are involved in and for a strong independent campaign.