October 2009
Posted on: October 29, 2009
“Sometimes Sorry is Not Enough”
Here is the statement I made at the Press Conference held October 29 in support of the National Campaign “Stand up for Aboriginal human rights” initiated by the Public Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
“CUPW joins with the other Unions in demanding that Prime Minister Harper take concrete steps to stand up for Aboriginal people. CUPW is frustrated that Harper’s historic apology to residential school survivors has not been followed up by real actions.
Posted on: October 15, 2009
Quebec Social Forum: “We Are Building Another World”
Over 4,000 people from different backgrounds took part in the Quebec Social Forum over this past weekend. I was one of them. A social forum provides opportunities for amazing encounters with people and ideas; it’s a place where everything is possible. There are workshops on such different issues as globalization, water as a common good and community development. A social forum also allows for renewing ties with other union members and sharing our current and future struggles.
CUPW participates in all social forums. To us, it’s a way to contribute to the debate on building a different world based on justice, solidarity and sharing. As mentioned by one guest speaker, the social forum is a place where we discuss how to “replace the law of the strongest by the force of collective rights.” It’s a great way to express our desire for change and to play an active role in effecting it.
Posted on: October 2, 2009
Solidarity in Action through a UNI Global Action Plan
International solidarity is part of our union focus. CUPW firmly believes that the working class struggle goes beyond borders and that it also has to be waged in the framework of a global action plan. This is why we get actively involved in the meetings sponsored by UNI, the Union Network International.
Right now, Sister Lynn Bue, Brother George Floresco and I are in Mexico City to help develop UNI Americas’ (Postal and Logistics Sector) action plan for the coming months. Some 15 countries are involved and taking part in vigorous discussions. We’re not only debating the impact of the current economic crisis on postal services, but also steps to protect our universal public postal services. I’ve already made a presentation on the struggle the union is pursuing in response to Canada Post’s Strategic Review as well as on the CUPW Action Days we’ve scheduled from October 7th to the 16th. Yesterday, we held a demonstration in support of the fight that Mexican postal workers are waging to protect their jobs. Everywhere in the Americas, actions are underway to defend public postal services.
