Tag: Awareness Days
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Human Rights Day: Celebrating the past, fighting for the future
Dear friends, Seventy years ago today, the world’s leaders adopted the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, committing to the principle that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It was a pivotal moment that we all deserve to celebrate. Many politicians didn’t recognize human rights simply out of…
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Statement from President Thomas on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women – December 6
It’s a day that Canadians will never forget: December 6, 1989. On this day, 29 years ago, a man walked into l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and gunned down 14 female engineering students, because of their gender. This senseless and brutal attack, often called the Montreal Massacre, was a wakeup call for the nation: that the…
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Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Twenty-six years ago, the United Nations declared December 3 the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This year’s theme is “empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality,” which aims to “ensure the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and create enabling environments by, for and…
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World AIDS Day: OPSEU hails advances – and calls for more
This year marks three decades since the first World AIDS Day was observed in 1988. Click here to download a pdf of this message. It was a bleak time. The first International AIDS Conference had been held just three years before. A cure seemed like a pipe dream. The only available treatment, AZT, often carried…
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November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
To commemorate this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is calling on Premier Doug Ford to take a stand against violence towards women and girls by focusing on positive measures to stop this crisis. “We know that violence against women and girls is…
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A Message from President Thomas and First VP/T Almeida on Remembrance Day
Dear Friends, On November 11, we remember the great sacrifices Canadians have made to protect our rights and freedoms. We remember those who lay down their lives in the Boer War, the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. We are inspired by the courage of those who fought in Afghanistan…
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Child care workers are champions for children!
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas issued the following statement today to mark Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. Today marks Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. On this day, October 16, OPSEU applauds all the members who work in child care. You are Champions for Children, this year’s theme,…
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World Mental Health Day
OPSEU leads and educates members in supporting, promoting, creating and maintaining mental health within their workplaces. {“fid”:”35854″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{},”type”:”media”,”field_deltas”:{“1″:{}},”attributes”:{“class”:”media-element file-default”,”data-delta”:”1″}}
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OPSEU front and centre at 2018 Labour Day Parade
OPSEU made the front page of Tuesday’s Toronto Star, which featured OPSEU members and staff marching with a mockup of Premier Doug Ford and his banker friend in this year’s Labour Day Parade. OPSEU is demanding a $15 minimum wage, the maintenance of Bill 148 improvements to the Employment Standards Act, and strengthened public services.…
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Join OPSEU Region 5 at the Toronto Labour Day Parade
Join hundreds of OPSEU activists and more than 20,000 of our labour & community allies at the biggest, loudest & proudest annual labour event in Canada. Help send Doug Ford a clear message: OPSEU is Mobilizing for Justice! Join us on Monday, Sept. 3 at 8 am on the east side University Avenue south of Dundas…
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National Indigenous Day
On June 21, Canadians will celebrate National Indigenous Day. The annual observation is an opportunity to honour and experience the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements and contributions of our country’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. For more information on National Indigenous Day celebrations check out the following webpages: http://indigenousdaylive.ca/ https://indigenoustourism.ca/en/2018-indigenous-events-across-canada/ https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013322/1100100013323 OPSEU…
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Health Professionals’ Week: June 18 – 24, 2018
A celebration of Ontario’s allied health professionals! We are the backbone of public health care” Allied health professionals are at the heart of our health care system. They make sure that doctors aren’t guessing, and that patients receive the highest quality care. For more information about Health Professionals’ Week: June 18 – 24, 2018, click…
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OPSEU launches Health Professionals’ Week: June 18 – 24, 2018
A message from OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and OPSEU’s Hospital Professionals Division Chair, Sara Labelle. Help celebrate Ontario’s allied health professionals “we are the backbone of public health care!” At OPSEU, we know the vital role that allied health professionals play in our public health care system; you’re at the very heart it! You…
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National Indigenous Day on June 21: Celebrating Culture
On June 21, Canadians will celebrate National Indigenous Day. The annual observation is an opportunity to honour and experience the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements and contributions of our country’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. The Truth and Reconciliation report highlighted the struggles Indigenous people have faced due to colonialism, Residential Schools,…
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2018 Pride Season
OPSEU at Pride Members of the Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel will be attending various Pride events and festivals this summer. They are scheduled to take place at various locations across the province. The Alliance is energized, empowered and inspired by members, locals and communities who have joined in the ongoing fight for equal rights for all. OPSEU members, Executive Board…
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‘It’s time to listen’: a message from the President & First Vice-President in honour of Paramedic Services Week
It doesn’t matter what day of the week, or what time of day it is, somewhere there is a paramedic saving a life. They are responding to a crisis, rushing someone to hospital, or even doing a home visit, because that’s what paramedics do every day; they touch people’s lives, often in their darkest hours.…
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It’s Mental Health Week: Make your voice heard
A message to OPSEU members in the mental health sector The election is coming May 7 to 13 is Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week. Marking these events is especially appropriate this year as Ontarians vote in the most significant election of our time. That’s why it’s vital we assess Ontario’s mental health…
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OPSEU remembers workers harmed on the job
On behalf of the Executive Board, we are honoured to pay tribute to the thousands of Ontario workers – and workers everywhere – who have been injured or lost their lives on the job. This April 28 will be the 28th time Canadians have officially observed the National Day of Mourning. Since 1991, the National…
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Workplace Injuries Caused by Mental Stress Deserve to be Recognized
The National Day of Mourning is observed on April 28 in Canada. In other countries the day is known as Workers' Mourning Day or International Workers Memorial Day. The National Day of Mourning has grown to be recognized in over 100 countries around the world. This day reflects and pays tribute to workers who have…
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On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we say ‘never again’ to hate
Thursday April 12, 2018, is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day to remember the six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis. One million of the murdered were children. The day also recalls the heroism of these Jews, most notably in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In many places, including many of the death camps, Jews…