July 2008
Posted on: July 31, 2008
The struggle of the Colombian people deserves our admiration and support
If you’ve read each of the commentary about our Colombia solidarity tour, you’ve noticed the difficult environment that face the Colombian workers, our brothers and sisters in the labour movement, Indigenous communities, displaced people and the vast majority of the population. We ou...
Posted on: July 24, 2008
Leaders say free trade will hurt, not help Colombia
Free trade with Colombia will lead to worse human and labour rights abuses and further devastation of communities at risk, Canada’s public sector leaders said at a news conference in Bogota on July 24. Here is the statement the leaders made to several Colombian media reporters followin...
Posted on: July 23, 2008
People’s Tribunal condemns Colombian government
After two years of hearings, the Permanent People’s Tribunal delivered its final judgment on Colombia’s human and labour rights record to a crowd of over 2,000 people in Bogota on July 23 and Canada’s public sector union leaders were there to witness it. What they heard confir...
Posted on: July 22, 2008
Canadian ambassador meets public sector union leaders
Canada’s ambassador to Colombia spoke with public sector union leaders at a breakfast meeting in Bogota on July 22 as part of their ongoing tour of Colombia. Free trade was the sticking point. Ambassador Mathew Levin engaged in a two-hour exchange with the four leaders on differing vie...
Posted on: July 21, 2008
Indigenous peoples feel the blows of Colombian policies
Canada’s public sector union leaders visited La Maria Pendiamo, an aboriginal reserve about two hours drive outside Cali, on July 21 as part of their ongoing tour of Colombia. About 100 residents joined the Canadian leaders for a discussion about the situation they face under the gover...
Posted on: July 20, 2008
Free collective bargaining non-existent in Colombia
University sector union leaders in Cali gave Canada’s public sector union leaders a taste of Colombian collective bargaining reality when they met on July 20 as part of their ongoing tour of Colombia: free collective bargaining is non-existent on campuses. SINTRAUNICOL president Carlos...
Posted on: July 20, 2008
Leaders visit displaced Afro-Colombians in Cali
Canada’s public sector union leaders visited Agua Blanca, the second largest Afro-ethnic community next to Brazil in South America on July 20 as part of their ongoing t
Posted on: July 19, 2008
Leaders visit displaced persons in Medellin
Canada’s public sector union leaders got a glimpse of a Colombia that rarely gets exposed in the North American news media when they visited a displaced persons community in Medellin on July 19 during their week-long tour of the country. Lately, the media have focused on the release of...
Posted on: July 19, 2008
Leaders briefed on human and workers’ rights in Colombia
Before visiting the displaced persons community of La Onda in Medellin on July 19, Canada’s top public sector union leaders attended two intensive presentations on the grave situation in Colombia. The conclusion of all presenters: Things are worse than ever. The national leaders of CUP...
Posted on: July 18, 2008
Canada’s public sector union leaders arrive in Bogota
Canada’s public sector union leaders arrived at Bogota airport on July 18 to begin a week-long labour tour to learn about the potential impact of a Canada-Colombia free trade deal on Colombian workers and their families. The leaders were greeted by members of the Sindicato de Trabajado...
Posted on: July 17, 2008
First leader arrives in Colombia
Canadian Union of Postal Workers president Denis Lemelin was the first of four national public sector leaders to arrive for a week-long leaders’ tour of Colombia that begins July 18. He was greeted by members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores Postales de Colombia (STPC - Union of Postal Work...
Posted on: July 17, 2008
Colombia Frontlines Leadership tour to support human rights and examine privatization
I will be participating in the Colombia Frontlines Leadership tour from July 17-25, 2008, along with the National Presidents of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the past President of the British Colombia General Employees Union (BCGEU). O...
Posted on: July 11, 2008
A busy summer, a challenging fall
I hope you are taking advantage of this season to relax, and spend time with your friends and family. As CUPW members, we know that the struggle continues even in the summer. At national Office we are working to achieve fairness for RSMC’s, on Modern Post, and on the Federal Government&...
