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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

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PSAC works to end violence against women

On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, PSAC renews our commitment to eliminate all forms of violence against women.

December 6 marks the anniversary of the Montréal Massacre, where 14 young women were killed at École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989.

PSAC is calling on the Government of Canada to establish a national action plan to end violence against women. Our union is also developing a domestic violence education training program, after members voted to make this happen at the 2015 Triennial National Convention.

Workplace accommodation needed

In December 2015, PSAC brought women together at a forum on domestic violence and the workplace where participants discussed:

•    Workplace accommodations and collective agreement language to help women experiencing domestic violence.
•    The potential for legal action and law reform.
•    The need to develop policies and programs to help end violence against women.

PSAC is also working to ensure that the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls remains a priority on the federal government agenda.

“The safety and dignity of all women and girls is a priority for our union,” said Robyn Benson, PSAC National President. “We are committed to ending violence against women. And until we get there, we will continue our work for increased support for survivors and better understanding of the impact of domestic violence on work and the workplace.”

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Invisible Disabilities

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By June Dale

“What’s it like to live with invisible disabilities?”
“You look tired, didn’t you get enough sleep last night?”
“Haven’t you finished reading that yet? Come on, keep up! I haven’t got all day.”
“You can’t open the jar, here, give it to me.”

Some days are better than others. I can move about freely and with a minimum amount of pain, while others face anxiety or depression.

Standing for what I would consider a long period of time causes my leg to become numb, then painful, then the swelling begins. How I would love to go to an outdoor concert and stand with the crowd to enjoy the music. Spending time in big crowds causes some individuals an increase in anxiety. They would love to go to that party on Saturday night. Instead they will spend another Saturday night at home. People look at me as though everything is fine, when in fact I am in physical pain.

Then, of course, there is the medication. Too many for my liking, but that is what I need sometimes to get through the day. If I forget to take them at the right time, the repercussions are interesting. My face starts to hurt. My vision becomes blurry. My thought processes become foggy. I always have a dosage ready, stored in my bag or my desk drawer.

Some people “look” like the rest of the population. No one would ever know that the individual has a disability because it it’s invisible. The individual may have a hard time reading or performing simple calculations and tasks for daily living. Tasks such as typing or writing a document could be a painful and exhausting experience. It may be that the individual is straining to hear the conversation around them, or the voices are so loud it hurts to listen to others.

In this day and age of adaptive technology, many can function in a world where the majority can do daily tasks. However, some places do not have this technology and those who experience invisible disabilities struggle in their own way, day-to-day.

I once read a story about spoons. It is called the Spoon Theory. It resonated with me.
Today is a good day for me. My wish is that you have a good day as well.

June Dale is the Union of National Employees Human Rights Representative for the National Capital Region – Treasury Board.

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PSAC celebrates adoption of trans rights law

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PSAC is thrilled that the House of Commons adopted a bill that will enshrine trans rights into Canadian law. The bill was passed at Third Reading, but will still need to go through the Senate.

Bill C-16 adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. It also adds gender identity and gender expression to the list of distinguishing characteristics of “identifiable groups” protected by the hate speech provisions in the Criminal Code.

Years in the making

This comes after years of similar legislation being introduced as private members’ bills by NDP Members of Parliament, which were then stalled or sabotaged by the Conservative-dominated Senate. Trans Canadians and allies have spent decades campaigning for federal human rights protection.

Trans rights now!

“Trans people deserve respect, equality and protection from discrimination and violence,” said National President Robyn Benson. “We are proud to stand for trans human rights and urge the Senate to adopt Bill C-16 as soon as possible.”

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Join the World Social Forum in August

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Another world is needed: Together it is possible!

The World Social Forum (WSF) is a gathering of civil society, including workers and trade unions to find collective solutions to common problems.  The first WSF took place in 2001 in Puerto Alegre, Brazil.  This year, the WSF will take place in Montreal from August 9-14, 2016. The theme is “Another world is needed: together it is possible”.

This is the first time that the World Social Forum takes place in North America.  Thousands are expected to attend the 1,200 workshops offered on Université du Québec (UQAM), McGill, and CÉGEP du Vieux-Montréal campuses and outdoor sites.

Activities

On August 9, the WSF will open with a massive march leaving Parc Lafontaine at 5:30 pm, followed by an opening ceremony in downtown Montreal.

Throughout the rest of the week, there will be:

  • workshop discussions,
  • round tables,
  • conferences,
  • debates on controversial topics,
  • artistic performances,
  • cultural activities, and
  • convergence assemblies.

PSAC members are invited to join this important event. If you can’t attend, follow us on social media during the event for updates (#WSF2016).

PSAC is sponsoring some members to attend. For information on being sponsored to attend, contact your regional office.

For more information, check out the World Social Forum website.

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Canadian Multiculturalism Day

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By: Shirley Torres

Diversity, unity, solidarity, mosaic, community, society, harmony, togetherness, equality: These are only some of the many words that are parallel to multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is a blend of different languages, religion, race, colour, custom and tradition. Multiculturalism is the world.

Canada is a world within the world. It is a melting pot of different cultures. It is home to many people of diverse ethnic backgrounds but people having the same aspirations and dreams. They live and work here to build their future, to pursue their dreams, striving, working hard and sometimes struggling to achieve their goals and by doing so, contributing to the development of their communities, the society and the country, culturally, economically and politically.

In 1971, Canada, the first in the world, adopted multiculturalism as an official policy. This was formalized when on July 21, 1988 the Canadian Multiculturalism Act was passed “to promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society”. By Royal Proclamation, on November 13, 2002, June 27 of each year was designated as Canadian Multiculturalism Day. We celebrate this day to learn more about each other’s culture, to be proud of our own and to have a better understanding and acceptance of the diversity in our society.  This is a celebration of diversity, Canada’s strength.

June 27 is a day of recognizing, appreciating and celebrating each other’s culture. It is a day to pay tribute to everyone’s continuous contribution in building a stronger, united, diverse Canada.

Happy Multiculturalism Day!

Shirley Torres is the UNE Human Rights Representative for the B.C. and Yukon region.

 

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National Aboriginal Day

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National Aboriginal Day is on June 21. You are invited!

Contributed by Ruby Langan, Genevieve Babineau and Sandra Ahenakew

We are three Aboriginal peoples in Canada – the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. We each have our own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. National Aboriginal Day is a day set aside to celebrate Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. The Union of National Employees has many aboriginal members in workplaces across Canada.

June 21 is the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For centuries, many of the first inhabitants would celebrate the arrival of warm weather on this day. National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for June 21 to be National Aboriginal Solidarity Day. Canada’s Governor General proclaimed it the first National Aboriginal Day in 1996.

We welcome you to join local community events to honour, celebrate and learn about Canada’s original peoples. Check your local newspaper or the Aboriginal Friendship Centre for events near you. Come and join the fun. Eat, learn, play, volunteer, be entertained and get involved. This is your invitation.

National Aboriginal Day events across Canada are listed at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada website:

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013322/1100100013323

Ruby Langan, Genevieve Babineau and Sandra Ahenakew are UNE Aboriginal equity representatives.

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May 17- International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

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By Sebastian Westerlund

The international day against homophobia on May 17 highlights the impact of stigma on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. Raising awareness about the difficult realities facing this population is an essential part of providing inclusive and open-minded customer service.

This day asks us to reflect on how certain policies and practices erase the existence of LGBTQ+ individuals. Our assumptions about gender and sexuality often unknowingly contribute to an institutional climate of heteronormativity that alienates this population.

The day against homophobia thus provides us with an opportunity to broaden our awareness and understanding of how workplace policies can affect LGBT people, knowledge that can help us to be inclusive and welcoming to them in our daily work.

On May 17, we encourage you to reflect on ways to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, in order to help build a more inclusive public service.

Sebastian Westerlund is a UNE member based in Montreal.

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Celebrate Asian Heritage Month

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By Jacqueline Nanali

Identity is the door that will open your soul.  I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  My parents immigrated to Canada in the early 1970’s from the Philippines.  They spoke their language to one another, but did their best to adjust to the Canadian ways for my older brother and me.  Often conversations among the elders were spoken in their language and they would speak English to the children.

As a young girl, I remember at the Elementary School I attended I would learn the French language and the school also offered Filipino language classes.  Growing up, it didn’t really occur to me how language played such a large part in connecting with others.

My first visit to the Philippines in 1999 opened up a whole new experience.  I had the same hair, eyes, and skin colour as many of the girls I encountered, but they often asked me where I was from.  They all spoke the same language and it seemed as if they knew I did not belong.  When I spoke English, it confirmed their assumptions.  Some tried to communicate with me, while others didn’t attempt to.  As an adolescent, I wasn’t sure how that made me feel.  I didn’t realize until I returned to Canada, that the girls I met in the Philippines looked at me as if I was a Canadian, although we shared the same hair, eyes, skin colour and ethnicity.  Even though I was raised in Winnipeg, I would often be asked if I was born in the Philippines.

Being Asian Canadian is my identity.  I am not one, or the other . . . I am both.  For many first generation Asian immigrants, some may still have a deep connection with their native land.  Second generation Canadian-born Asians, like myself, seek that opportunity to learn about our parents, grandparents and ancestors.  However, being a third generation in today’s society speaks wavelengths about ethnicity and nationality.  Which is why I believe it is significant to take the time to learn and share stories about your identity because without it, Canada would not be known for its historical development of Asian Canadians.

Celebrate the 14th year of May 2016 as Asian Heritage Month in Manitoba:

May 8, 2016 – Steinbach where the local Asian community members will participate for the first time

May 11, 2016 – Canadian Museum for Human Rights Event – Asian Fusion

May 12, 2016 – University of Winnipeg

May 26, 2016 – Asian Canadian Writers

May 28-29, 2016 – Asian Canadian Festival at the Forks

For more details on the festivities, please visit: http://filipinojournal.com/asian-heritage-month-of-may-2016-promises-another-multicultural-extravaganza/

 Jacqueline Nanali is the UNE’s regional representative for human rights, Manitoba

 

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Union of National Employees Human Rights Award

Greetings,

This letter serves as a reminder that all Union of National Employees Human Rights Award applications must be received by the National President no later than June 30.

Our human rights awards are presented to individuals who  have achieved outstanding and exemplary conduct in the promotion of human rights.

If your Local wishes to nominate a member, please refer to the criteria on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/hra_crit_e.pdf .  The application form can also be found on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/hra_app_e.pdf .   Please ensure that you follow the criteria carefully and that you complete the application form correctly.

The Human Rights award is presented at the UNE National Human Rights Conference.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC