Jewish Heritage Month

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May 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021

May is Jewish Heritage Month. Jewish Heritage Month was officially recognized by the federal government in March 2018 after a unanimous vote in the House of Commons.

The Jewish community has long played a central role in labour struggles and in the fight against discrimination in Canada. In 1947, the Jewish Labour Committee successfully lobbied to pass the first anti-discrimination resolution at the Canadian Congress of Labour, demanding “vigorous action” in “the fight for full equality for all peoples, regardless of race, colour, creed, or national origin.”

For Jewish Heritage Month, CUPE honours the historic role of the Jewish community in the promotion and defense of labour rights and social justice, and we call on our members to take action against the growing tide of antisemitism in our country and around the world.

As part of our celebration this year, we encourage members to learn more about the Jewish-Canadian trade unionist Léa Roback, who organized Francophone and Yiddish-speaking workers in Montréal and fought tirelessly for women’s, environmental, immigrant and Indigenous rights.

A message from the National Officers on the Day of Mourning

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On April 28, the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job, we remember all the workers we have lost, and we vow to keep fighting for safe and healthy workplaces for everyone.

Every year in Canada, around 1,000 workers lose their lives on the job. Their deaths are preventable and should not happen. And each one is a tragedy.

Since the last Day of Mourning, CUPE has lost 14 members to workplace-related fatalities. 10 of these deaths were due to COVID-19.

“Our love and solidarity go out to the families, friends, and co-workers of those we have lost,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “A healthy and safe workplace is the right of each and every worker under the sun, and this is why we fight for the living.”

This is never an easy day. It is especially difficult this year because of the pandemic.

“We want to express our solidarity and support for all workers who are continuing to offer essential public services, despite the risks to their health and to that of their families,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury. “More than ever, this crisis highlights the need for us to stand together for safe working conditions.”

This April 28, and every day, CUPE will continue to fight – for better legislation, for better education, and for the vital personal protective equipment our members need.

EQUAL PAY DAY – APRIL 7, 2021

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Today is Equal Pay Day.  Please share the attached letter with your locals.

On the Equal Pay website (Equal Pay Coalition Close the gender pay gap), videos will be displayed throughout the day from women who will be expressing messages worth hearing.  The letter was sent to Government officials to encourage the move to reduce the wage gap.

Sent on behalf of:

Helen Gibb-Gavel, Job Evaluation Representative

Bonjour :

Aujourd’hui, c’est la journée de l’égalité salariale.  S’il vous plaît partager la lettre ci-jointe avec vos sections locales.

Sur le site Internet Equal Pay (Equal Pay Coalition Close the gender pay gap) des vidéos seront affichées tout au long de la journée par des femmes qui exprimeront des messages qui méritent d’être entendus.  La lettre (disponible en anglais seulement) a été envoyée aux représentants du gouvernement pour encourager le mouvement à réduire l’écart salarial.

 Envoyée au nom de :

Helen Gibb-Gavel, Représentante en évaluation des emplois

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