Tag: Solidarity
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When love trumps hate: OPSEU at the Toronto Women’s March
Saturday, January 21, 2017, was a historic day around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the U.S. capital for the Women’s March on Washington, while millions filled the streets in other communities around the world in solidarity marches. Former OPSEU member, long-time activist, and key Toronto Women’s March 2017 organizer Deb Parent…
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Support striking beer workers – boycott Molson Coors
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas released the following statement today in support of Local 325, Canadian Union of Brewery and General Workers. National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) President Larry Brown joins CUBGW workers on the picket line this week. (Photo courtesy NUPGE) Nobody wants a strike. But when your employer asks you…
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Message from OPSEU President on World AIDS Day 2016
“AIDS is no longer just a disease; it is a human rights issue.” Those were the words of Nelson Mandela, delivered before a mass rally in Cape Town on the eve of World AIDS Day, 2003. They are as true today on World AIDS Day 2016, as they were 13 years ago in South Africa.…
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Thomas joins Grey-Bruce Labour Council to honour local activists
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas joined members of the Grey-Bruce Labour Council to honour the work of local activists at the annual Activist Dinner Monday night. In a wide-ranging keynote address, Thomas spoke about the important work of labour unions and their activists in winning rights for workers, highlighting the recent pay equity settlement at…
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Rally for Decent Work an “exhilarating” day: Thomas
Thousands of people, including hundreds of OPSEU members, gathered at Queen’s Park last Saturday for the Rally for Decent Work. OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, who was at the event, said it was “exhilarating” to see such a massive crowd. “Ontarians are tired of the current state of work,” Thomas said. “And that’s why so…
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Go fish: OPSEU donates to Annual Bass Blast
Terrace Bay – Last weekend, OPSEU Region 7 threw its support behind the 6th Annual Bass Blast in Terrace Bay by donating $150 toward food and locally-sold supplies. Members from Region 7, Local 723 of Terrace Bay, also joined in the festivities by volunteering their time. “It’s a lot of fun to build community partnerships…
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Join the Workers of Colour Solidarity Picnic
Join the Workers of Colour at their annual solidarity picnic at the historic Christie Pits Park in Toronto. Date: August 20, 2016 Time: 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: Christie Pits Park, Toronto Lunch will be served at 12:30 and there will be fun and entertainment for the whole family. Come and celebrate with the…
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Reclaiming Resistance: Black Lives Matter at Pride
A message from the OPSEU Workers of Colour Caucus and Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel Photo Credit: Uranranebi Vizuals On July 3, during the Toronto Pride parade, Black Lives Matter organizers held a powerful sit-in to honour members of racialized queer communities who have been killed, whose lives have been lost, or who have been endangered by…
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Workers on both sides of Pacific oppose trade pact: Thomas
Sydney, Australia – Workers on both sides of the Pacific Ocean oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says. “I’m talking to working people on the other side of the world, and they’re echoing the sentiments I’m hearing about this latest trade deal from my members and Canadians at…
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OPSEU congratulates new top officers at National Union
Ottawa – The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is congratulating two well-known Canadian trade unionists as they prepare to take over the leadership of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). Larry Brown, current Secretary-Treasurer of NUPGE, was acclaimed in the role of President by delegates at the NUPGE convention in Ottawa…
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OPSEU Supports Maternal, Newborn and Child Health for Guatemalan Indigenous Communities
The OPSEU Social Justice Fund Board is proud to partner with Horizons of Friendship to improve maternal and child heath among Indigenous communities of Guatemala. In addition to the Social Justice Fund providing financial support, the OPSEU Indigenous Circle is helping establish links with Indigenous midwives from Canada to foster a cultural exchange that truly reflects international…
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OPSEU stands in solidarity with Colombians opposed to massive energy privatization
The sale by the Colombian government of its majority stake in power generator Isagen to a subsidiary of Toronto-based Brookfield Asset Management raises serious concerns. Medellin- based Isagen is one of Colombia’s biggest power companies with six hydroelectric plants and generates about 16 per cent of the electricity used in Colombia. The sale puts the electrical…
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Stand in solidarity with Hamilton steelworkers and retirees on Jan. 30
United Steelworkers in Hamilton are inviting unionists and community activists from across the province to join a Day of Action on Jan. 30 to demand that all levels of government unite around a plan to keep Stelco open. The rally, organized by USW Locals 1005 and 8782, will call on governments to stop Stelco’s owner,…
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AIDS: Awareness matters
Dear friends: On December 1, we mark World AIDS Day – sadly, the 28th such commemoration since 1988. This year’s theme is “Getting to Zero”: zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and Zero AIDS‑related deaths. In fact, this has been the theme of every World AIDS Day since 2011. Obviously, we have yet to achieve…
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International Year for People of African Descent and Black History Month
Dear friends: The United Nations has designated 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent and February, of course, is Black History Month. In making its announcement, the UN challenges governments and the international community to “redouble efforts to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance that affect African descendents in all parts…