Union Mom

President's Corner - 2012 is the Year of the Dragon

2012-01-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break, which provided for time with family and friends and a rest from our busy campus.

I am writing the first of the monthly installments of this year’s President’s Corner. I want to continue to communicate on a regular basis with the YUSAPUY membership so it can provide a platform for discussion and sharing.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents the emperor and the concept of power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.

I took a fascinating trip to New York City in October 2011. It was my first time there. This was a family weekend road getaway that felt more like the National Lampoon Vacation movies starring Chevy Chase, but that’s another story!

On my last day there, I came across a street fair and while looking around, noticed some lovely wares from Tibet. Interestingly enough, everything I gravitated to at that moment was symbolic of the Dragon. A woman advised me it was a sign of good luck. Only when I went to research the year 2012 did I realize it was the Year of the Dragon.

I am not a superstitious person, yet I find it difficult to ignore that the universe may be trying to tell me something. Now don’t get me wrong, if the signs were disastrous, I’m certain I would find a way to rationalize it out of existence. But for now, I’m going to embrace these signs and the year of the Dragon. I hope that it brings all of us good fortune, success and happiness!

I believe this year is ultimately one of change for YUSAPUY members at the university. I’m hopeful we can continue to work towards the necessary reforms within our community to foster a positive work environment that inspires those that come to our campus to learn, teach and visit.

I know that at the beginning of a new calendar year, most people reach deep down to seek an optimistic perspective, yet I don’t feel as though I need to dig that deep. I believe in our community and all the possibilities it can provide. I’m still convinced that we can change the processes and policies that don’t serve our community and can create new paths that support the academic objectives of the students.

I have hope, even after so many years, and faith in this community and the YUSAPUY members that participate in the day to day operations at York University that change is possible.

To that end, I will take steps to ensure that changes are in the best interest of our membership and that this employer fully understands that the best asset York University has is its employees. It is the people at York University that come to work and produce education, research and support for the student community that are the fundamental reason for its success.

We don’t need to create obstacles across the York community between employee groups, students or faculty. We need to build bridges through common struggles and celebrating our successes together.

This is all very attainable. Yet we will have to work together to find the path to a better future. That time is closer than we think.

After all, this is the year of the Dragon.

In Solidarity,

Joanie Cameron Pritchett
President, York University Staff Association (Affiliated to the CCU - Confederation of Canadian Unions)

CCU 2012 Calendar Looks at Labour History

2012-01-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

The CCU has produced its 2012 calendar, which illustrates some of the important social and political events of the last year and throughout labour history. The CCU also looks to 2012 knowing that a better world is possible.

To place orders for your union or local, please email contact@ccu-csc.ca. It makes for a great gift for any union member or social activist.

Also, you can see the full calendar here.

The Occupy Movement, Working People and the 99%

2011-11-30T14:18:00.000-08:00

After more than two months of occupying streets, parks, businesses and public areas, the Occupy Movement, despite colder weather and government-imposed evictions, is still going strong.

It started on September 17th, with hundreds of people occupying Zucotti Park near Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. Just three weeks later, over 2,600 cities, towns and communities around the world were holding Occupy events, with millions of people participating.

Inspired by the democratic movements of North Africa and the Middle East, who earlier in the year occupied the largest cities of their respective nations to bring down ruthless dictatorships, the protesters in the West took action against rising social and economic inequality, the corporate control of government and attacks on human rights and democracy.

Even right-wing commentators were forced to admit it is a huge (and unexpected) success. For the first time in decades, families are talking at the dinner table about the role of banks and large businesses in society, and that years of wage decline and rising inequality are taking its toll on the working and middle classes.

Journalists and pundits were drawn into the discussion, flooding the airwaves with video and audio footage of the protesters and their demands for greater social justice and workers’ rights.

The Confederation of Canadian Unions also took part, especially John Hanrahan of the Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees, who participated in several events with Occupy Halifax. CCU members at our biennial conference in late October took a break from the agenda and took part in Occupy Toronto for an afternoon.

Right-wing pundits in the corporate media enjoyed taking their shots at the movement, referring to them as spoiled children of wealthy families who had nothing else better to do. Others claimed they were “lazy” homeless people.

The Statistics on the 99%

In reality, the occupy movement consisted of a large, diverse group of people from all economic classes and backgrounds. Research published by the New York Times showed that approximately 13% of the Occupy Wall Street protesters were unemployed, just slightly higher than the 9% unemployment rate in the United States. And what else would you expect from a political movement that stands up for unemployed and low-income people?

The economic statistics are just as revealing, and give some insight as to why tens of thousands of people throughout the world are willing to sleep in tents in the freezing cold for weeks on end. A handful of billionaires in the United States own as much wealth as the bottom 50% of the population, while real wages have declined about 10% since the mid-1970s, and are showing even greater decline now during what many economists are calling a double-dip recession.

At the same time, banks and corporations are raking in huge profits, while continuing to slash jobs and cut benefits and pensions.

Canada is not immune to this rising tide of inequality. The percentage of wealth owned by the top 1% in Canada is the same now as it was in the mid-1920s, according to Statistics Canada. In fact, the rate of inequality is rising faster here than in the United States, and real wages in Canada have been stagnant since 1980.

A far great number of people are aware of this reality now than they were just two months ago, and it’s because a group of activists in late September decided to take a bold step and do something that’s never been done before. Successful political actions may start out small, but they blossom into large-scale movements that represent tens of millions of people around the world.

It reminds me of what Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

CCU Biennial Convention on October 22 in Toronto

2011-10-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

The CCU is holding its biennial convention on October 22 to 25 in Toronto. The Labour School is on the first day, and we have an incredible line-up of guest speakers addressing a wide variety of issues, including contract bargaining, electronic monitoring of workers and human rights, attendance management programs, the green economy and jobs, accommodation in the workplace, and many others.

It will make for some great debate. Go to the Convention page on our website for the schedule and email CCU secretary Michael Belanger to register. We hope to see you there!

CCU Raises Awareness About International Labour Struggles

2011-09-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

CCU Vice-President John Hanrahan has initiated an exciting new program that helps raise awareness of labour struggles around the globe. Working with LabourStart, the world's premier go-to online destination for union news, the CCU website now has a live feed from LabourStart that features labour activities and campaigns that you can get involved in. The CCU website also includes a a letter writing campaign that John started in late 2010 and other international campaigns that you can click on, read about and take part in.

Go to www.ccu-csc.ca to see the new site.

CCU Initiates Voter Education Drive for 2011 Ontario Election

2011-09-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

The Confederation of Canadian Unions has kicked off a political education drive aimed at increasing voter turnout for the October 6th Ontario election.

The CCU has received responses from a questionnaire it sent to the major parties at the beginning of the Ontario election campaign. Named “Have A Say, Vote Your Way,” the questionnaire relates to issues that matter specifically to wage earners and working class people.

For far too long, elections and political parties have ignored the concerns of workers, and it has caused millions of them to stay at home on voting day. That’s why we asked the parties directly about their views on unions, wages, collective bargaining and workers rights.

The fifteen questions in the document also discuss the environment, health care, education, jobs and the economy, and the responses received from the Liberals, NDP and Greens are posted on the organization’s website.

The CCU initiated a Go to similar campaign for the federal election in May 2011. The education drive we organized for the federal campaign in the spring was a huge success. We think this initiative at the provincial level will further raise awareness about important issues.”

The Progressive Conservatives, however, still have not submitted their answers. After numerous calls and emails, we still haven't received any responses from the PC Party. They also didn't respond to our previous questionnaire during the federal election in May. I think there’s a pattern developing here.”

Voter turnout has been rapidly declining, and statistics show that it is especially low-income and working class families that aren’t exercising their voting rights. “There were many organizations throughout the province engaged in the election,” says Robin Smith, a CCU delegate. “Our program, however, was designed specifically to speak to the concerns of workers and progressive-minded people in Ontario today.”

The CCU believes their “Have A Say, Vote Your Way” campaign is the best way to engage working people in Ontario. “There were some surprising answers on a few of the issues,” says Smith. “But there’s nothing more genuine than asking politicians direct questions and getting straight answers, without the fluff and spin. The voters of Ontario deserve nothing less.”

Go to www.ccu-csc.ca to read the parties' responses.

Remembering Jack Layton - A Friend of Labour

2011-09-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

There comes along a person every generation or so that captures the hopes and dreams of millions of people everywhere, whose optimism, compassion and energy drive others to take action and help create a better world.

Jack Layton was such an individual.

The Confederation of Canadian Unions is deeply saddened by his untimely passing. Jack Layton fought bravely but lost his second battle with cancer early on August 22 at the age of 61. He was surrounded in his Toronto home by friends and family.

His death is not only a huge blow to the political party he led, but to working people throughout Canada and the country as a whole.

Jack Layton’s life defined public service. He became a Toronto City Councillor in 1982 and took on issues that were at the time seen as controversial. He advocated for the rights of persons living in AIDS, became an earlier supporter of a woman’s right to choose, and proposed higher funding for the arts and housing for homeless people.

Layton was also an unequivocal supporter of workers’ rights and unions. It is important to note that the political party he led for almost ten years, the NDP, has structural, political and financial ties to labour unions throughout the country.

The so-called “Happy Warrior” led his party to a huge breakthrough during the June 2011 federal election, where for the first time, the NDP became the official opposition.

His final statement to Canada was written on August 20, 2011, and summarizes his commitment to social justice and fairness, as well as his hope for a better future. “My friends,” he wrote, “Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

A state funeral will be held on Saturday, August 27 at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto.

On a personal note, I wanted to convey my deepest sympathy to the Layton family. I can only imagine their loss.

Layton had such an impact on our country and certainly on so many lives of Canadians. I was one such Canadian. Layton was the greatest leader I've known in my lifetime and I will continue to remember him throughout my career as a union activist and social justice crusader.

I will always remember the exact moment when I heard the news of his passing. I was driving and looked at the sky and it was the most spectacular blue - so crisp and clear - and the clouds were so evenly layered into the horizon. It was a beautiful image, just as "smiling Jack" was a beautiful person.

This friend of labour and ally of working people will be sorely missed.

Go to www.ccu-csc.ca to download the poster.

CCU Celebrates Labour Day in Barrie

2011-09-15T05:16:00.001-07:00

For the second year in a row, Barrie residents didn’t have to travel on a busy Highway 400 to Toronto in order to celebrate Labour Day.

The Second Annual Barrie Labour Day Picnic featuring music, food and fun for kids, took place on September 5th at Sunnidale Park.

Organized by the Confederation of Canadian Unions and the Ontario Nurses Association, the event enjoyed a huge turnout. Over 500 people came to the park throughout the day to take part.

Labour Day celebrates the achievements of working people throughout the country. “We wanted to acknowledge the contribution that workers have made to the community during the year,” says Robin Smith, event organizer and CCU member. “It’s important that unions work together in protecting the gains we’ve won and fighting for greater social justice and equality.

The origins of Labour Day in Canada are traced back to April 14, 1872, when a parade was staged in Toronto to support the Typographical Union’s strike for a nine hour workday. After 24 members of the union were arrested, labour leaders called for a demonstration to take place on September 3rd of that year. Yet it was only in 1894 that the government of Canada made it an official holiday.

Working people and labour unions have struggled for over a century to make Canada a better place for all. This Labour Day in Barrie, we remembered the sacrifices they made decades ago and continue to work together in building a better future.

YUSA Creates New Fitness Program

2011-09-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

We are so excited in the YUSA office that this fitness initiative has been such a huge success. We created this program because we heard you tell us for years that you wanted to be able to have access to fitness facilities at your lunch hour and be able to connect with other community members. When we first launched this program (two years ago) we were hopeful that we would have participants, but you have surpassed our expectations. It is because of your support this initiative and regularly participate that it is a success.

As well, we could not be happier with the talented instructor that we were able to convince to bring her exceptional abilities to our community: Kerrianne Brown. Her dynamic approach to fitness is contagious and she continues to add new programs to a terrific line-up of interesting and fun programs. We are lucky to have her and I have heard from so many of you how appreciative you are of her efforts on your behalf.

This has been a great success story for our community and I encourage you to continue to find interesting and innovative ways to participate in our community and to contribute to your own well-being.

This is why we have now created this online newsletter that will become a monthly feature for YUSA. We want to offer a forum for information on Health and Wellness in the Workplace. Teach ways to improve you quality of life and provide a platform for discussion and dialogue with you about your health in our workplace. This is all about you - I hope that you enjoy this new communication tool embrace this newsletter as you did the lunch-hour fitness initiatives.

Again, thanks for your support and I hope you continue on your path to contributing to your wellness at York University. Make it a great day!

There's more information at www.yusapuy.ca.

YUSA Initiates Labour Training Program

2011-09-15T04:47:00.000-07:00

The York University Staff Association (YUSA) has initiated a new training program for members and hoped that the employer would provide an endorsement. To date, that remains to be seen. However, we did not want any more time to go by before we commence this valuable program.

This training was designed specifically for YUSA members who supervise other members. We have opened this training first to members who have "supervision" included in their job descriptions and then we will offer it to the YUSA membership at large. It is one full day of training and the day will be broken in half. The first half of the day is called "How to supervise in a Unionized Environment" and the second half of the day is entitled "Occupational Health and Safety Supervisor Training."

YUSA is very proud of this new training initiative. It is a prime example of the commitment that YUSA has made to its membership in furthering labour training and education.

More information is located at www.ccu-csc.ca.