Page 97 – UNE News Room // Salle des médias du SEN

2012/03/21

We see things as we are

“We don’t see things as they are,
we see them as we are.”
Anaïs Nin
American diarist and author, 1903 – 1977

What does the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination mean to me?

This is our day to reflect. It’s a day for us to look back at how far we’ve come, while acknowledging how far we still have to go. We may not always be able to eliminate the deep roots of racism, but profound change does happen.

In 1960, 69 people were killed while peacefully protesting apartheid in Sharpeville, South Africa. The Sharpeville Massacre shocked the world. In 1966, the United Nations declared that the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination would be observed each year on March 21.

Some argue that racism will never be eliminated. However, I believe it’s a matter of being patient! It’s unfortunate that, in the meantime, we need to endure struggles, segregation, and scrutiny.

Racism won’t disappear after March 21, nor will it be eliminated overnight. We need to take the extra step; we must continue to reflect on our actions, behaviours and perceptions of others.

On March 21, let us learn from our own biases and be brave enough to critique them.

– Mary Jeyananthan

Mary Jeyananthan is the National Equity Representative for racially-visible people. On March 26, she will also participate in the following event to combat racism:

March 26th – Empower London: The Roots of Racism and Moving Forward
It is an event based out of London, is a collaboration of organized labour, community groups and community members to open up an on-going dialogue around racism. The event has a dynamic panel, along with food, beverages, and amazing entertainment. For more information, click here – to register, please email Mojdeh R. Cox at mojdehrcox@gmail.com.

2012/03/08

International Women's Day

It’s International Women’s Day! Today, we honour and celebrate the achievements of women across the world. This year, Status of Women Canada recognizes the important work of women in rural areas:

Women and girls are contributing to economic prosperity in these regions through innovative projects such as business networks and training in non-traditional occupations. Leadership initiatives for women and girls in rural and remote areas can also be found across the country.
To find out more about the theme, please visit Status of Women Canada’s website.

To find out more about the theme, please visit Status of Women Canada’s website.

We also invite you to consult Amnesty International’s website. They have asked their supporters to take action on behalf of Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian woman considered to be a prisoner of conscience.

2012/02/27

Day of action

When the clock strikes noon on March 1, take to the streets and stand up for public services.

The Harper government wants to make reckless cuts to public services that Canadians rely on. Its austerity plan will have a devastating impact on families and communities across Canada.

Asking Canadians to choose between a strong economy and strong public services: it’s absurd! Canadians need both. On March 1, join thousands of workers across the country and demand better.

Ask your colleagues to stand with you; the only way we can win is if we stand together.

	Demonstration locations
	Printable leaflet

2012/02/27

Working for you – a message from Eddie Kennedy

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Since taking office six months ago, as the UNE’s National Executive Vice-president, I have been hard at work advocating on behalf of our members. I must say that it’s both a great pleasure and an honour to represent all our members – from all sectors and all corners of the country.

Recently, my employer, Parks Canada, asked me to help them improve labour relations. They have offered to excuse me from my regular work duties, until October 2013, so that I focus solely on helping them resolve labour relations issues. I will perform this work as part of my role as National Executive Vice-President, not as an agent of the employer. During this time, my employer will continue paying my regular salary and benefits.

Given the current political climate, it’s likely that this assignment will include advising the agency on workforce adjustment situations.

With your help, I’ll make every effort to fight back against job cuts. If your employer should decide to move forward with workforce adjustment actions, my work will ensure that they do so in a fair and transparent manner.

While my 9-to-5 job will be mostly focused on members working at Parks Canada, this new assignment will make it easier for me to access leave without pay for union business. In other words, I’ll have more time to dedicate to represent all of you as your National Executive Vice-president.

If you have any questions about this assignment or any other issue (or if you simply wish to send me words of encouragement!), please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours in solidarity,

Eddie Kennedy
National Executive Vice-President
Union of National Employees

2012/02/26

Pink Shirt Day

Wear a pink shirt on Wednesday, February 29 for the fifth annual Pink Shirt Day. By wearing a pink shirt, you’re saying that bullying won’t be tolerated.

Pink Shirt Day is inspired by the actions of David Shepherd and Travis Price of Nova Scotia, who took a stand when a Grade 9 boy was bullied for wearing pink. Shepherd and Price got 50 fellow students to wear pink shirts the very next day. According to the Pink Shirt Day website, “the bullies were never heard from again”.

Will you be wearing pink?

2012/02/23

A day of heartbreak

Each year on Valentine’s Day, people smile, hug and greet each other with a joyful “Happy Valentine’s Day!” — for others, it’s a day of heartbreak. For them, February 14 is a day to commemorate their lost loved ones and take part in memorial marches across Canada.

This year marks the 21st Women’s Memorial March through the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, an area where many First Nations women have fallen victim to violence. Nationwide, there are over 600 women on the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s missing or murdered list.

“In January 1991, a woman was murdered on Powell Street. Her name is not spoken today, respecting the wishes of her family. Her death was the catalyst to move women to take action leading to this special Valentine’s Day March,” wrote organizers of the march at the Carnegie Community Centre.

Unlike last year’s rainy day, our members were fortunate to have some great weather. I was pleased to be joined by sisters from the UNE BC Region, along with sisters and brothers from the PSAC Vancouver Regional Office, the PSAC Women’s Committee, the PSAC Human Rights Committee and other grassroots organizations.

When we first arrived, we were greeted by a First Nations sister who gave each of us a beautifully decorated card. Each card had a unique proverb honouring the murdered women. Mine read, in part, “death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Before the march started, we gathered inside the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, where families of the missing and murdered women shared their stories. The speakers showed tremendous strength as they did so. Someone said, “our loved ones are in a better place; they don’t have to suffer anymore. They may be looking at us, from wherever they are, and wanting to tell us that they are alright.”

Outside the center, there were drums, chanting, singing, praying and greetings. A First Nations brother generously gave fresh bannock to activists of all ages; he was content to see smiles it brought to their faces. Close by, an elder conducted a smudging ceremony to attract good spirits and positive influences.

Among the crowd, I saw a woman crying. I placed my hand on her shoulder to comfort her and was rewarded with a giant hug. The emotions were contagious. We cried, hugged, shared stories and supported each other. We were all there for the same reason.

As the march started, thousands filled the streets, carrying banners, pictures, ribbons, posters and handmade quilts in commemoration of those who were taken from us. While most marchers were aboriginal, many others, of all ethnicities, young and old, marched in solidarity.

The crowd stopped at sites where women were last seen or were found murdered. Each stop was acknowledged by a cedar smudging ceremony. The crowd attracted others who joined the march as it moved along. And just like they do each year, eagles joined the march from above.

The march ended with a candlelight vigil to commemorate the missing and murdered women of the Downtown Eastside.

Being part of this was a great and unforgettable experience. It’s a reminder to keep fighting for women’s rights and for justice for our stolen sisters.

Jennifer Ho
Regional Vice-president of the B.C. and Yukon region
Union of National Employees

2012/02/16

PSAC Members at CSTMC – United for a fair contract

PSAC Members at CSTMC - United for a fair contract

Our members employed by Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation want better job security. They also want protections against their work being contracted out. Canada Post, the Museum of Nature and the National Arts Centre have agreed to superior protections for PSAC members – but the CSTMC won’t budge.

We are determined to achieve better protections for our members’ jobs; they deserve nothing less.

Because the parties are deadlocked, the bargaining team has applied to the Labour Board for third-party mediation. Conciliation (or mediation) is not arbitration; in this case, a third party is assigned by the Labour Board and works with both parties to come to an agreement. The conciliator doesn’t have the power to impose a decision.

For more information, download this bilingual poster from the PSAC. Better yet, print some off and share them with your members!

The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation oversees the Canada Agriculture Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

2012/02/15

PSAC at Statistical Survey Operations – United in support of our rights

PSAC at Statistical Survey Operations - United in support of our rights

It seems like Stats Canada is abandoning its “no layoff policy” because of the possible budget cuts courtesy of Mr. Harper. Policy or not, our collective agreement requires the employer to look to attrition to accomplish any reduction in workforce. Stats Canada has to make every effort to avoid laying off PSAC members working as Interviewers and Senior Interviewers in regional offices.

These protections are in our collective agreement; we will enforce them!

For more information, download this bilingual poster from the PSAC. Better yet, print some off and share them with your members!

2012/02/01

February: Black History Month

This year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History chose Black Women in American Culture and History as their theme. In their description of the theme, they wrote, “in slavery and freedom, [Black women’s] struggles have been at the heart of the human experience, and their triumphs over racism and sexism are a testimonial to our common human spirit.”

Black history, especially Black women’s history, has historically been overlooked.

“Black women’s history has been in the shadows for too long,” said Audrey T. McCluskey, Professor of African-American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University-Bloomington. “While the work by noted historians such as Darlene Clark Hine and Deborah Gray White, is helping to move it into the mainstream, so much more needs to be done to bring this history of struggle, courage, disappointment, and overcoming—continually overcoming—to a broader audience. Black women’s history needs to be engaged beyond Black History Month, and become a part of the curriculums of schools everywhere. Students lives will be fortified and enriched by its telling.”

The story of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, a pioneering Canadian black woman, is one that has been sadly overlooked. Like many free Blacks and fugitive slaves, she came to Canada shortly after the U.S. passed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Act meant that fugitive slaves were no longer free in the North. The vague language meant that even free Blacks were threatened. Many saw Canada as a place where they could escape the clutches of slave-catchers and the laws that empowered them.

Continue reading “February: Black History Month”

2012/01/31

My wages = your profits

The PSAC recently created these great little cards to remind those in the private sector that public service employees contribute to the economy. Permanent layoffs can cripple a local economy. While the pain will surely be felt by those who’ve lost their jobs, those on Main Street will undoubtedly feel it too.

You can download and print these cards yourself. Next time you buy a lunch, a coffee or the must-have book of the month, slip a card in with your cash. Tell them public servants are part of the 99%, just like they are!

	English cards
	French cards
	Inuktitut cards