CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn on leave amid complaint

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The union representing the province’s public-sector workers said Ontario president Fred Hahn had been placed on leave while a complaint against him from a co-worker was being investigated.

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Canadian Union of Public Employees spokesperson Mary Unan confirmed Monday night what was heavy chatter amongst union membership starting on Sunday. Unan said an “independent investigation — supported by CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn — is currently underway into workplace climate allegations made by a CUPE Ontario staff member.”

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She added that “CUPE Ontario at all times seeks to ensure a safe workplace for all staff” and that Hahn was on paid leave, “something that is a routine procedural step and is not a disciplinary measure.

“Fred remains president of CUPE Ontario,” Unan added.

Issue described as ‘internal matter’

A memo sent to members Monday evening called the issue an “internal matter,” but said “as an employer, CUPE Ontario takes all its matters of employee relations seriously.

“After receiving an employee complaint regarding work climate, the CUPE Ontario executive board passed a motion last week to retain a third-party investigator to assess the situation and make recommendations,” the memo said, adding the motion passed unanimously with the support of Hahn.

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Elected as president in 2010, Hahn is the longest serving president in CUPE history. He has announced he will not seek re-election at the union’s annual meeting starting May 27.

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Nature of complaint unclear

It was unclear if the investigation will be completed before Hahn’s term runs out. But it means he is not be running the union at this time.

“Fred will step away on paid leave for the duration of the investigation,” said the memo, adding “this is a routine procedural step consistent with sound employer practice and is not a disciplinary measure.”

It was unclear what the nature of the complaint was and CUPE said it “will not be providing further comment on the specifics of the matter.” They stressed that “Fred continues to serve as president of Ontario and we thank members and locals for their understanding and discretion.”

The complaint had not been tested by the CUPE process and there was no indication either that police were involved in any way. But this is a major development since CUPE represents more than 300,000 workers in Ontario.

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Anti-Israel comments have sparked backlash

Hahn has courted controversy for a long time for his strong stance on Palestinian causes and has routinely attended protests against Israel, while saying that “genocide” was unfolding in Gaza.

Facing major backlash from the Jewish community, dozens of Jewish members within CUPE and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Hahn apologized for a video he posted to social media that depicts an Olympic diver sporting the Star of David on his arm before turning into a bomb as he hits the water.

“My intent was never to associate Jewish people with the violence enacted by the state of Israel,” Hahn said at the time. “It remains my strongly held view that it is a terrible mistake and antisemitic to conflate abhorrent actions by the state of Israel with Jewish humanity or identity.

“My intention in posting it was to call attention to the reality that while the Russian Federation was barred from participating at the Paris Olympics, the state of Israel was permitted to participate — which appeared clearly to me to be a double standard.”

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