Tag: Awareness Days
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June 21 is National Aboriginal Day
June 21 is National Aboriginal Day Celebrations to commemorate National Aboriginal Day are held annually on June 21. This day honours the unique heritage, diverse cultures, outstanding achievements and contributions of Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Canada's Governor General officially proclaimed the first National Aboriginal Day in 1996. June 21 was selected because…
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May 19: Personal Support Worker Day in Ontario
Today marks Personal Support Worker Day across Ontario, a day to pay tribute to thousands of workers in settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes, community-based health providers or in their client’s homes. While there have been notable improvements in compensation paid to PSWs in recent years, the reality for many, especially non-unionized workers in…
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On National Day of Mourning governments must do more to protect workers
On the eve of Canada’s National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job, governments must redouble their efforts to ensure greater safety in workplaces, the leadership of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union said today. Citing figures that show an average of four Canadians die on the job each day of…
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International Francophonie Day 2015
Message from the Chair On March 20, 2015, we celebrate International Francophonie Day and UN French Language Day. International Francophonie Day strives to create a space of solidarity, one based on the principles of humanity, democracy, and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity of all. This day was first initiated by the International Organization of…
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Black History Month 2015
The OPSEU Workers of Colour Caucus urges all of us to use Black History Month as a time for personal and critical reflection, for organizing and mobilizing against systems of inequality and intolerance. By involving locals with regional, national and global sectors and working across many issues such as pay inequity, poverty, racism, homelessness and…
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Black Facts: A Celebration of Black History Month 2015
February is Black History Month! In Black Facts: A Celebration of Black History Month, the OPSEU Workers of Colour Caucus pays tribute to historical figures and movements that contributed to the struggle for all against social injustice and inequality . Keep an eye on this page for new Black Facts which will be posted throughout…
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The International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers – December 17, 2014
The International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers is observed annually on December 17 by sex workers, advocates, friends, families and allies. The day calls attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers worldwide, as well as the need to remove the social stigma and discrimination which contributes to violence against sex workers. Incorporated…
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December 10 anniversary of UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Wednesday Dec. 10, is the 64th anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We pay tribute to Article 23 (2) of the declaration which states: “Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.” While considerable progress has been made over six decades to achieve this goal, the reality…
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International Day for Persons With Disabilities
On December 3rd OPSEU along with many other Canadians will be celebrating the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. Relax, we’re not asking you to spend money on gift cards or presents. The Disability Rights Caucus (DRC) is asking for Action. On this date the DRC asks OPSEU staff to continue its current work, to…
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International Trans Day of Remembrance
November 20 is the International Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR). It is a day for trans people and their loved ones to mourn and memorialize all of the trans people who have been murdered in the past year. It is a somber and private affair. Community members tend to stick together in observance of TDOR…
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
OPSEU is marking June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse is essentially a violation of an individual's rights to dignity, respect and self worth. Elder abuse can be seen in various forms; physical, emotional, financial and neglect. The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day continues to gain significance in Canada's Employment Sector, and…
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The Beginning of Pride
After years of being oppressed and bullied by the brutal NYC Police Department, the patrons of Stonewall Inn fought back. During the final weekend of June 1969, drag quees and queer street kids pushed back and a riot erupted. These riots marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement that transformed the suppression of the…
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2014 Dyke March
Lesha Van Der Bij and Lisa Hayes worked with a handful of volunteers and a budget of $50. In spite of rainy weather and concerns a separate march would divide the community, Toronto's first Dyke March was held on June 29, 1996. The march began at the 519 Community Centre where participants were forced to…
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2014 Trans March
In 2009, Toronto's first Trans March was organized after Karah Mathiason and her wife, Diane Grant, realized Toronto's Trans community was being overshadowed as the popularity of the Dyke March and Pride Parade grew at exponential rates. Mathiason was quoted in a June 18, 2009 Toronto Star article as stating: "I really want to create…
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CLC Pride Reception
Join the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) as it celebrates World Pride with a reception and awards ceremony. Further details to be determined. The event is free of charge. For more information on World Pride, click here World Pride 2014.
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World Pride 2014
Rainbow Alliance prepares to make a splash For many years OPSEU's Rainbow Alliance has provided representation and support to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersexed, queer, questioning and two-spirited (LGBTTIQQ2S) members. We promote equality and a harassment-free work environment. Tackling discrimination in the workplace means addressing and challenging it in our communities, unions and homes. We…
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Asian Heritage Month: May 1 – 31, 2014
Asian Heritage Month is held in May every year. It is a month long celebration that puts into focus the long and rich history of Asian Canadians, and celebrates their various contributions to the Canadian Society economically, socially, culturally, and politically. Significantly, Asian countries comprise one of the largest sources of immigration to Canada. Asian…
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Wear red on Equal Pay Day – April 16
Equal Pay Day marks how far into the next year a woman has to work to match what a man has made in the previous year. In Ontario this year Equal Pay Day will take place on Wednesday, April 16. The Ontario gender pay gap has now increased to 31% which is one of the…
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Equal Pay Day – April 9
The National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) has designated a Tuesday in April to bring greater awareness to wage discrimination affecting women and racialized workers. It started off as a public awareness campaign in 1996 and has since evolved into a day of action calling for change and greater equality. Tuesday was selected because it…