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LABOUR COUNCIL VIDEOS Our new communications staff Esery Mondesir is a film-maker as well as union organizer. Check out www.youtube.com/user/TYRLabourCouncil for these short videos:
Aboriginal scholar Hayden King explains the key issues raised by Idle No More- http://youtu.be/FC7OT91670E Terri Monture speaks of her perspective as a labour and Aboriginal activist http://youtu.be/j4BMVU14NJM Ruth Lor Malloy remembers the trip to challenge discrimination in Dresden in 1954 with Bromley Armstrong http://youtu.be/WuMZw9JM5tA |
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MORE CAMPAIGNERS, NEW MATERIAL TO DEFEND WORKERS RIGHTS Labour Council’s Workers’ Rights campaign trained another 120 campaigners on Saturday, May 11th. The campaign is moving into the second phase, with a new card available for mass distribution. They can be ordered in bulk from the office from Ana afonseca@labourcouncil.ca,
or you can find a downloadable version at www.labourcouncil.ca/workersrights.html
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SHARE STORY ON UPSHAW + BROMLEY AWARD Share Newspaper journalist Ron Fanfair wrote an excellent article for this week’s paper about Fred Upshaw, recipient of the 2013 Bromley Armstrong Award. Fred is the former
president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union who was the first African Canadian to lead a major Canadian labour union. Take a read http://sharenews.com/labour-rights-trailblazer-gets-armstrong-award/
or you can find a downloadable version at www.labourcouncil.ca/workersrights.html
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SHARE STORY ON UPSHAW + BROMLEY AWARD Share Newspaper journalist Ron Fanfair wrote an excellent article for this week’s paper about Fred Upshaw, recipient of the 2013 Bromley Armstrong Award. Fred is the former
president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union who was the first African Canadian to lead a major Canadian labour union. Take a read http://sharenews.com/labour-rights-trailblazer-gets-armstrong-award/
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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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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 TRAGEDY – WHAT ABOUT RIGHTS? There is much debate over what to do about Bangladesh. Business commentators warn against any boycott, but certainly don’t talk about real solutions to the terrible conditions
there. CAW Local 40 member Joachim Victor Gomes, originally from Bangladesh, has co-authored a letter to the Star with John Cartwright. In it they point out that workers want three things: a living wage, the right to organize without
fear, and enforcement of safety and employment standards. (ironically, that’s what low-wage Canadian workers want too!) You can support the campaign for immediate safety at http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1813&src=derektwe
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MAYWORKS 2013 CONTINUES 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 TRAGEDY – WHAT ABOUT RIGHTS? There is much debate over what to do about Bangladesh. Business commentators warn against any boycott, but certainly don’t talk about real solutions to the terrible conditions
there. CAW Local 40 member Joachim Victor Gomes, originally from Bangladesh, has co-authored a letter to the Star with John Cartwright. In it they point out that workers want three things: a living wage, the right to organize without
fear, and enforcement of safety and employment standards. (ironically, that’s what low-wage Canadian workers want too!) You can support the campaign for immediate safety at http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1813&src=derektwe
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MAYWORKS 2013 CONTINUES 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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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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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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