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STEVEN LEWIS FOUNDATION SOLIDARITY TOUR KICK-OFF MAY 2nd - The Labour Council meeting on Thursday, May 2nd featured the kick-off of a special tour of Canada by of three leading HIV AIDS activists from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Canadian unions have long supported the Stephen Lewis Foundation with a shared commitment to social justice, women’s equality, and international solidarity. In recognition of those shared values, the Foundation is organizing a Solidarity Tour for union members from Winnipeg to Windsor – a 15-day trip to raise awareness and understanding about the AIDS pandemic in Africa. | www.solidaritytour.ca
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Harper and Hudak are promoting a scheme that would weaken unions, drive down wages and benefits -and harm Canadian society.
Who should attend the May 11thTraining? Union members who missed the March 2nd Campaign kick-off, but are willing to help educate co-workers about this threat. Register on line here or download the flyer |
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DECONSTRUCTING TEMPORARY WORKER PROGRAMS CAW Human Rights Director Vinay Sharma delivered a crystal clear analysis of the use by business and the Harper Conservatives of "temporary foreign worker" programs to exploit migrant workers and drive down wages in Canada. PDF document.
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BANGLADESH GARMENT BOSSES AND GLOBAL RETAILERS Trade unions and labour rights organizations in Bangladesh and around the world are calling for immediate action from international brands following the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar, in Dhaka Bangladesh. The eight-story Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed April 24th, killing hundreds of workers and injuring over 1,000. The building housed at least five garment factories that produced for international brands, including well-known Canadian brand Joe Fresh. www.maquilasolidarity.org
Over 3000 industrial police used to suppress workers and wages http://tinyurl.com/co2led9
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MAYWORKS 2013 STARTS THIS WEEK! We are excited to announce that the 28th annual Mayworks Festival running from May 1 - 15th 2013. This year's multi-disciplinary festival consists of nineteen events reflecting themes of labour, art and politics. The program includes theatre performances, poetry readings, visual arts exhibits, film screenings, a concert, and various interactive workshops and forums.
The full program, including all details about time, location, tickets, and registration, may be found on Festival Program page
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DECONSTRUCTING TEMPORARY WORKER PROGRAMS CAW Human Rights Director Vinay Sharma delivered a crystal clear analysis of the use by business and the Harper Conservatives of "temporary foreign worker" programs to exploit migrant workers and drive down wages in Canada. PDF document.
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BANGLADESH GARMENT BOSSES AND GLOBAL RETAILERS Trade unions and labour rights organizations in Bangladesh and around the world are calling for immediate action from international brands following the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar, in Dhaka Bangladesh. The eight-story Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed April 24th, killing hundreds of workers and injuring over 1,000. The building housed at least five garment factories that produced for international brands, including well-known Canadian brand Joe Fresh. www.maquilasolidarity.org
Over 3000 industrial police used to suppress workers and wages http://tinyurl.com/co2led9
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MAYWORKS 2013 STARTS THIS WEEK! We are excited to announce that the 28th annual Mayworks Festival running from May 1 - 15th 2013. This year's multi-disciplinary festival consists of nineteen events reflecting themes of labour, art and politics. The program includes theatre performances, poetry readings, visual arts exhibits, film screenings, a concert, and various interactive workshops and forums.
The full program, including all details about time, location, tickets, and registration, may be found on Festival Program page
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AWOC MAY 4th Labour Council’s 11th annual Workers of Colour/Aboriginal Workers conference took place on Saturday May 4th. There was inspiring presentations on First Nations issues by Hayden King, union struggles by Jan Simpson, and the Foreign Temporary Worker fiasco by Vinay Sharma and Edgar Godoy. Also, there was a special presentation made to recognize the legacy of our dear sister Clementine Ng of UNITEHERE Local 75 who
recently passed away. Check back for a full report.
recently passed away. Check back for a full report.
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PORTER AIRLINES LOSES INJUNCTION, GOES STRAIGHT TO A LAWSUIT - Porter Airlines is playing hardball. Rather than negotiate with their striking refueling workers, they are choosing to use any legal means available to avoid dealing with them. Porter and the Toronto Port Authority partially lost a court injunction which had sought to prohibit leafleting and noise even in a public park. That very afternoon, they announced with a civil lawsuit of $4 million against the union, whose bargaining unit at the Porter airport represents only 22 employees. www.dontflyporter.ca
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SUPPORT QUEBEC LABOUR
On March 21st, the federal government tabled its 2013 budget in which it announced the gradual elimination of the 15% tax credit granted to labour fund shareholders. This will have a big impact in Quebec, where the FTQ Solidarity Funds are an important investment tool supporting thousands of good jobs.
The savings of the 600,000 Québec workers have invested $8.8 billion in the Funds, but this latest move by Harper, along with drastic cuts to EI, is seen as one more attack on workers. You can support our sisters and brothers in Quebec by circulating their petition. http://www.fondsftq.com/en/moncredit/petition.aspx
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On March 21st, the federal government tabled its 2013 budget in which it announced the gradual elimination of the 15% tax credit granted to labour fund shareholders. This will have a big impact in Quebec, where the FTQ Solidarity Funds are an important investment tool supporting thousands of good jobs.
The savings of the 600,000 Québec workers have invested $8.8 billion in the Funds, but this latest move by Harper, along with drastic cuts to EI, is seen as one more attack on workers. You can support our sisters and brothers in Quebec by circulating their petition. http://www.fondsftq.com/en/moncredit/petition.aspx
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DO UNIONS HAVE A FUTURE? Daniel Bastien’s original plan—the one that his parents liked—was to go straight to law school. An acceptance letter already in hand, he only took the hotel server job to get him through the summer. What he expected from the North York Novotel was a little over $10 an hour and some pretty good tips. What he got was a different type of education than he’d ever imagined…
To read the full Globe and Mail article click www.theglobeandmail.com/article10310754
To view the great powerpoint presentation (prezi) click here
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To read the full Globe and Mail article click www.theglobeandmail.com/article10310754
To view the great powerpoint presentation (prezi) click here
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A FAIR DEAL FOR TRANSIT FUNDING - The Toronto & York Region Labour Council has a history of advocating for public transit going back nearly a century. Public policies surrounding transit should be fair, accessible, and equitable, promoting use of public transit to minimize smog and air pollutants, reduce commute times, and enhance the quality of life for all. We believe that an expanded transit system not only benefits transit users, but drivers and businesses similarly impacted by congestion.
As such, revenue tools should reduce reliance on private vehicles, discourage single-driving motorists, and provide incentives to encourage public transit use. To read the full statement click here
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As such, revenue tools should reduce reliance on private vehicles, discourage single-driving motorists, and provide incentives to encourage public transit use. To read the full statement click here
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IS YOUR UNION READY? Attacks by employers, governments and global corporate interests have become far more aggressive in recent times. This calls for a new strengths to be developed, and Labour Council has created an
important tool for union leaders and activists to use. Titled "Achieving a State of Readiness", it outlines a comprehensive approach for unions to adopt when getting ready for difficult struggles. Download it here.
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important tool for union leaders and activists to use. Titled "Achieving a State of Readiness", it outlines a comprehensive approach for unions to adopt when getting ready for difficult struggles. Download it here.
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