Action Alert: Support Workers in Cambodia in International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day in Cambodia is closely associated with the women who make the clothes you might be wearing as you read this.  Their unions play a key role in organizing IWD events in that country.

All week the Cambodian government has been moving police and troops into position.  Tomorrow an estimated 30,000 women garment workers are expected to celebrate IWD  by attending an open-air ‘Forum on Labour Rights’ in Phnom Penh.  And if the recent history of Cambodia is anything to go by, they will then be attacked.

Knowing that the world is watching might just give the Cambodian government second thoughts.  The global union you might be a member of (among others, the Steelworkers and Unifor are affiliated to it), IndustriALL, is running an online action HERE. Take 5 seconds out of your Friday and send a message that might save a life tomorrow.
via www.labourstart.org

December 6 – Day of Mourning

At today’s Sunrise Memorial held at the Manitoba Legislature, 14 women who were murdered at the 1989 Ecole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, and the 11 Manitoba women who were murdered within the past year were remembered.

A traditional aboriginal drumming group sang an honor song and all who attended wrote their commitments to continued, renewed activism and working towards eliminating violence against women.L & K L & SC & L Committments

 

 

 

KLA

Filipino Labour Activist Visits Winnipeg

The National President of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) will be speaking at two events in Winnipeg about the struggles and challenges of the labour movement in the Philippines.

Ferdie Gaite will be speaking at Sam’s Place, 159 Henderson Highway, to Manitoba labour leaders and union members on November 1, 2013, from 7 – 10 pm.

“We are honoured to have one of the Philippines’ most active labour organizers speak to us in Winnipeg” says Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba, “we are committed to helping defend labour rights of workers in the Philippines in the same way we are committed to defending labour rights in Canada, our struggles, while different, are the same”.

COURAGE is the largest labour confederation in the Philippines, with over 275,000 members at the forefront of the Philippine public sector workers’ struggle for decent wages, humane working conditions and full union rights. They are currently campaigning to expose, oppose, and fight against corruption.

“The struggle for decent wages, workplace health and safety, and decent public services is a universal struggle” says Moist, “building a bridge between our movements is essential in ensuring fairness for everyone”.

Also speaking at the event will be Kelly Moist, CUPE Manitoba President, Diwa Marcelino of Migrante, and a musical performance by Levy Abad Jr.

Admission is free, and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The event is a pan-Canadian CUPE Global Justice Project.

Vigil for Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women – The Pas

CUPE Manitoba organized a vigil on October 4th in The Pas, Manitoba as part of the nation-wide day of action and remembrance for missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Over 200 vigils were organized across Canada through partnership with the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

The vigil in The Pas, located at the Clearwater Lake Pump House where Helen Betty Osborne was murdered in 1971, served as a stark reminder of the legacies and horrors of colonialism, racism, and misogyny faced by far too many Aboriginal women in Canada. The vigils also reignited calls on the Federal Government to implement a full public inquiry into the countless cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.

CUPE Manitoba was honoured to have organized this event along-side the Opaskwayak Health Authority.

CUPE applauds Manitoba Government for taking action on disability rights

WINNIPEG – Today the Government of Manitoba introduced a new bill in the Manitoba Legislature, expanding on the rights of persons living with disabilities in the province.

“We are encouraged that the NDP is taking disability rights seriously” stated Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba, “once enacted, this bill will set a new standard in the province, and will promote more discussion on disability and accessibility issues in Manitoba.”

The new bill is expected to reach Third Reading by the end of June, when it will become legislation.

“CUPE has been working on a national campaign across the country to raise awareness and action on disability rights in the workplace and the community” said Moist, “this new bill sends a strong message to Manitobans living with disabilities that the Manitoba government is not only adapting to the needs of the community, but taking a strong legislative stance in support of removing barriers and increasing access for all Manitobans.”

CUPE Manitoba is a proud endorser of Barrier Free Manitoba – a coalition of community organizations working towards disability rights legislation in the province.

CUPE represents over 25,000 members in Manitoba, including members working in support services for people living with disabilities. 

Visit the Barrier Free Manitoba website for more information.