![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.une-sen.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/socialjustice.png\" "\\"socialjustice\\"")
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In 1912, Helen Keller sent a cheque to support the striking textile workers in Little Falls, New York. In the accompanying letter, Keller concluded:\u00a0 \u201cUntil the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other\u2019s welfare, social justice cannot be attained.\u201d1<\/sup><\/p>\n Unions have long advocated for social justice. At the PSAC, the Social Justice Fund has worked to \u201cadvance the role of our members in building stronger communities, a better country and a more just and humane world.2<\/sup><\/p>\n According to Louise Casselman, the PSAC Social Justice Fund Officer, the fund helps address inequities both at home and abroad.<\/p>\n \u201cUnions are not just about putting bread on the table \u2013 that\u2019s obviously an important aspect \u2013 but it\u2019s also about reaching out and being active in the society we live in,\u201d said Casselman.<\/p>\n About half of the fund helps support programs in Canada.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a literacy program that we support, for example, in Nunavut, in the Prairies and\u00a0 Atlantic regions and, right now, we\u2019re supporting literacy programs for injured workers in Ontario and also immigrant workers in the area of Montreal.\u201d<\/p>\n Literacy skills are especially important in our modern economy. The 2005 International Study of Reading Skills revealed that a great proportion of Canadians scoring lowest on literacy were immigrants or individuals who grew up with a mother tongue other than English or French.3<\/sup><\/p>\n The majority of Canadians struggling with literacy report earning less than $25,000 a year.4<\/sup><\/p>\n The fund also supports after-school programs for at-risk-youth and shelters for victims of domestic violence. The union is also teaming up with Canada Without Poverty to fight for decent public housing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all working together to improve the lives of those people who are more marginalized in our society,\u201d said Casselman.<\/p>\n She adds that many of our members are involved in these programs at the grassroots.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard,\u201d admits Casselman. \u201cUnion members work all day long, and then volunteer at night for their Local, Area Council or Human Rights Committee \u2013 it\u2019s all volunteer time \u2013 and then they\u2019re involved in the community. It\u2019s a lot on their back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really important to bring attention to all this work, so we want to recognize all those champions of social justice that we have in our union.\u201d<\/p>\n [1] Helen Keller, and Davis John.\u00a0Helen Keller: Rebel Lives<\/em>. Saint Paul, MN: Consortium Book Sales and Distribution, 2003. Print.<\/p>\n [2] PSAC Social Justice Fund Mission Statement<\/p>\n
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