Issue 69 – 25, September 21st, 2025
The Threats to Democracy by Big Companies
Every year, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) lists companies that are doing things that weaken democracy. In 2025, they named seven companies that are especially dangerous.
This year’s report talks about how some large companies are harming democracy around the world. Big companies can sometimes work against democracy, especially when they prioritize profits over people’s rights and safety.
1. Amazon: Jeff Bezos’s Amazon is involved in selling weapons and spying on people. It works with far-right groups and tries to avoid laws about workers’ rights and the environment. It also spends a lot of money lobbying governments to keep its profits high, even when it breaks laws or harms workers.
2. Anduril Industries: This company builds autonomous weapons like drones that can kill without human control. It supports far-right ideas and doesn’t treat its workers well. Its technology is used for surveillance and military purposes, often with little oversight.
3. Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram): Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is helping spread far-right ideas and misinformation. It works closely with governments and military contractors, and it weakens rules meant to protect elections and human rights.
4. Northrop Grumman: A major producer of nuclear weapons, Northrop profits from arms and works against arms control treaties. It spends money to influence politicians and limits workers’ rights by discouraging unions.
5. Palantir Technologies: Owned by billionaire Peter Thiel, Palantir makes powerful data systems used for spying, policing, and military actions. It supports authoritarian regimes and has contracts that threaten privacy and human rights.
6. SpaceX: Elon Musk’s SpaceX supplies military satellites and launch services for space weapons. It works with far-right leaders and avoids paying taxes. Its technology is used in conflicts and for military control, sometimes supporting regimes that threaten democracy.
7. Vanguard Group: As the largest investor in nuclear weapons companies, Vanguard invests billions in weapons that threaten global safety. It also pulls back on responsible investing to please far-right political groups.
These companies use their money and power to influence governments and suppress workers’ rights. Many support far-right political forces that want to weaken democracy, spread misinformation, and build dangerous weapons. They often avoid taxes and laws, and their actions threaten peace, climate safety, and human rights.
The ITUC and other groups are calling for a better world where democracy is protected, weapons are banned, and everyone’s rights are respected.
It’s important for all of us to stay aware and support efforts to keep democracy strong. It’s up to everyone workers, union retirees, citizens, and governments, to stand up for democracy and stop these harmful practices.
Read more - Corporate Underminers of Democracy 2025 - International Trade Union Confederation
Action - Upcoming Mandate Review
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) are calling on the federal government to delay the upcoming review of Canada Post, emphasizing the importance of a stable and publicly owned postal service. The review, scheduled to take place from October 2025 to March 2026, has raised concerns from CUPW who believe it is premature and could threaten the future of Canada’s national postal service.
Recently, CUPW met with Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement. CUPW expressed their frustration over the slow progress in negotiations and the Corporation’s apparent lack of urgency since losing a forced vote. They highlighted the need for new collective agreements that include fair wages, better working conditions, full-time jobs, and improved staffing. The union also shared ideas about new revenue-generating services such as postal banking and community hubs, which could benefit communities and create good jobs, but these proposals were met with limited comment from the Minister.
A key concern expressed by CUPW is that the government’s planned review may be based on incomplete or outdated information. They argue that Canada Post must first return to stable operations, fully realize the impact of recent stamp price increases, and see parcel volumes reflect sectoral demand. Conducting a review before these conditions are met could lead to decisions that harm the postal service and the communities it serves.
Moreover, advocates stress that the review process must be transparent and inclusive. They oppose any plan that limits public and stakeholder consultation, especially given that the future of a vital national service is at stake. The union and community groups insist that the review should involve public hearings and input from stakeholders across all regions of Canada to truly reflect the needs of the people.
There is also concern that the government might use the recent Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) report as a framework for the review. The IIC report, which examined issues beyond collective bargaining, included recommendations for service cuts and the reintroduction of community mailbox conversions, measures the union strongly opposes.
CUPW reminded the Minister that Canada Post was elected to be a public Crown corporation, not a privatized service, and any move toward deregulation or privatization must be firmly rejected. CUPW and CURC are urging Our Affiliates and union retirees to contact their Members of Parliament and Minister Lightbound to demand that the mandate review be delayed until the postal service is stabilized and that the process is fully transparent. Canada Post is a vital institution that connects communities, provides good jobs, and serves the public interest.
As the government prepares for this review, our message is clear: Canada Post must remain a strong, publicly owned service dedicated to meeting the needs of all people now and in the future.
Read more - News and Events - Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Take Action - You can download a mail-in template letter here, or fill out an online version.
Return of Parliament
With Parliament’s fall session underway and the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate decision, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is urging the federal government to stop pushing cuts and start investing in the people who keep this country running.
At a press conference this morning, CLC President Bea Bruske and Senior Economist DT Cochrane warned that Canada’s economy is heading in the wrong direction, and that working people are already paying the price.
“The Bank of Canada’s decision today to cut interest rates is a recognition of the pressure families are under, but the move alone won’t fix Canada’s economic challenges,” said Bruske. “Lower rates might provide some relief, but without serious public investment in housing, health care, jobs, and training, Canadians will be left treading water while the government pushes ahead with cuts.”
Since 2022, unemployment has shot up. Close to half a million more are now out of work. Youth unemployment is nearing 15%, and it’s even worse for Black and Arab youth, hitting around 25%. The cost of living keeps rising, and families across the country are feeling the strain.
“Too many people are working hard and still falling behind,” said Cochrane. “Rent, groceries — everything costs more. But instead of building support systems, the government is reaching for the same old austerity playbook that caused so much harm in the past.”
The CLC is calling on the federal government to take a different approach. That means:
- Investing in affordable housing
- Protecting public services like health care, child care, transit, and education
- Fixing Employment Insurance so everyone who pays in can get support when they need it
- Creating good union jobs through smart public investment and stronger labour laws
- Guaranteeing a better future for young people, with access to decent work, training, or education
“Nation-building isn’t just concrete and steel. It’s also about a strong safety net, healthcare, housing, and skills training. The stuff that actually makes people’s lives better,” said Bruske. “That’s what real leadership looks like. Not slashing services while billion-dollar corporations keep raking in profits.”
Cochrane pointed to recent data showing GDP shrinking and business investment dropping fast.
“The private sector is pulling back. That’s exactly when the public sector should step up, not disappear,” he said. “If the government keeps cutting, it’s only going to make things worse.” The CLC also criticized the lack of a clear economic plan from the Carney government.
“We keep hearing buzzwords like ‘affordable housing’ and ‘growth,’” said Bruske. “But where’s the plan? Where are the jobs? Who is this economy actually for?”
With nearly 10,000 public service jobs on the chopping block and cuts of up to 15% planned across departments, the CLC says workers are being asked to carry the burden again.
“Workers didn’t cause this crisis,” said Bruske. “But we’re ready to be part of the solution. What we need from the Carney government is courage. Not cuts.
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