More Workers Announce Support for Ahmad Gaied and Workers First

In my previous post, I shared statements of support from allies who have been active in CUPW, OSSTF, OPSEU, IBEW, and USW. In this post, I'm sharing statements from allies who have been active in OPSEU, CWA, CUPW, COPE, and Unifor.

Again, I'm deeply grateful for the support of members and leaders, from across our entire movement. You are what fuels our campaign and inspires our shared vision for Workers First. Thank you!

If you'd like to share your own statement of support on my website, click here.

Stay tuned for more news.

In solidarity, 

Ahmad Gaied

Secretary-Treasurer

Ontario Federation of Labour

Darshika Selvasivam

Tamil Worker • Community Organizer • OPSEU Member

Ahmad has been an unwavering advocate and champion for human rights, consistently standing in solidarity with marginalized, BIPOC, and vulnerable workers across Ontario. He speaks truth to power with a clarity and courage that shifts the tide—especially in moments when few are willing to pay attention or take risks for the greater good.

I have had the privilege of witnessing Ahmad's leadership first-hand during my time on the OFL's Black and Racialized Workers Committee. We know that budgets are political, and in this light he has been able to steer our political priorities with perspective and foresight, ensuring that our financial decisions reflect the values and needs of workers.

His deep commitment to an intersectional approach to labour justice—particularly in supporting non-profit service providers and frontline community workers—continues to set a powerful example of what true movement leadership looks like.

At a time when our public services and Ontario's social safety net are under attack, we need leaders who are both seasoned and unwavering in their commitment to working people's struggles, holding us with care. Ahmad embodies this with consistency, compassion, and conviction.

Nasr Ahmed

Union Organizer • Media Worker • Trade Unionist

Any young worker in the labour movement will tell you that many of our leaders merely view them and their issues as a box to check, a photo op, or worse, an inconvenience to be managed.

Ahmad Gaied is not one of those leaders.

As a union organizer and the former elected Vice-President of Young Workers for the OFL, I can tell you that there was often pushback to the big projects and bold ideas that my committee and I had during my tenure. It was with the support and backing of Ahmad that we were able to carry these projects out, with great success.

Even more pressing during my tenure was how the OFL would respond in the weeks following Israel's brutal siege on Gaza following the events of October 7, 2023. I'm proud to say that both Ahmad and I were loud voices on the OFL's Executive Board in favour of taking a strong stance condemning these actions, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege on Gaza.

This is what leadership looks like and I was proud to stand with my brother at that moment.

Young workers are the future of our movement. For the support that Ahmad has shown young workers during his time at the OFL, and for his leadership when things were hard, I'm proud to support him for re-election as Secretary-Treasurer of the OFL.

Mark Brown

CUPW Representative • Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Executive Board Member

I am honoured to endorse in my personal capacity Ahmad Gaied for re-election as Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Labour, because experience and putting workers first matter.

Throughout the years, Ahmad has been a steadfast advocate for both public and private sector workers, representing their interests on countless platforms. He was a featured guest on G98.7's The Grapevine, where he effectively brought the message of why Ontario needs labour law reform to an audience that doesn't often hear directly from the labour movement.

This is the outreach we need to ensure that all workers and communities are engaged.

Ahmad has also been a strong supporter of the OFL's Black and Racialized Workers Committee, helping to amplify its vital work in fighting systemic racism, promoting equity, and ensuring that the voices of Black and racialized workers are heard and valued across the movement. His visible and active support has strengthened connections between the Federation and the communities it serves.

Ahmad's commitment to workers extends far beyond the spotlight. When a non-unionized worker contacted me after losing a finger in a workplace accident, Ahmad immediately mobilized the resources of the OFL to provide support and ensure the worker received the help they needed.

Because of that support and empowerment, that same worker was later inspired to move into a unionized role with the same employer, which is a true testament to the difference solidarity can make in a worker's life.

Over the past term, Ahmad has demonstrated a deep understanding of the Federation's work and the kind of effective, compassionate leadership our movement needs. His dedication, responsiveness, and ability to act when it matters most make him the right choice to continue serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

Justin Kong

Vice-President, Unifor 2025 • Member, Chinese Workers Network • Former Ontario NDP Candidate, Scarborough North • Former Executive Director, Chinese Canadian National Council, Toronto Chapter

To win for workers and to defeat the right-wing agenda, we know we have to build broadly with diverse and different working communities in Ontario. Ahmad has a proven track record of building a labour movement that can build new relations, engage under/un-engaged communities and workers, and to bring them in to advance a workers' agenda.

That is the type of building that will get us to be where we need to be to take down Doug Ford and the Conservative Agenda.

I've seen Ahmad campaign across the province, and certainly in the Scarborough I call home: connecting diverse communities with the labour movement, the Ontario NDP, and progressive political candidates to move our collective struggle forward.

Crucially, Ahmad has also spoken up when our party and movements have erred especially as it comes to issues of race, equity, and strategy. This type of constructive criticism and critical support is exactly what we need to move our struggle forward and to achieve victory for workers.

The circumstances facing working people are deeply tumultuous and critical; it calls on us now more than ever to move forward bravely and thoughtfully. Ahmad has proven repeatedly that he will push our movement to do just that.

Doug Massey

Former Secretary-Treasurer, COPE Ontario, COPE 225, Ottawa & District Labour Council

I first met Ahmad at the 2015 OFL Convention where he was elected Executive Vice-President. Since that time, I have witnessed an individual working tirelessly with labour and community groups to further the goals that we not only wish for ourselves, but that we also wish for everyone.

His honesty and integrity are unquestionable.

This is why Ahmad Gaied has my support for Secretary-Treasurer.

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