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Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Since 2002, the month of May has been declared Asian Heritage Month in Canada (see Declaration http://www.cic.gc.ca/multi/mpa-ahm/dclrtn-eng.asp). Along with our members in Canada and all over the world, we celebrate the contributions and achievements Asian Canadians have made to our union, our communities and our country.
In addition to celebrating Asian Heritage Month, we know that the harsh economic times we currently experience have created discriminatory effects for all workers of colour. All Steelworkers should speak out against racism and strengthen human rights during a period of accelerated workplace closures, layoffs and economic insecurity.
In promoting healthy workplaces for all, the Steelworkers continue to build on past successes such as:
Collective bargaining
- Negotiating anti-harassment and human rights policies
- Negotiating contributions from employers to the Steelworkers Humanity Fund
Steelworker education
- “Human Rights are Workers’ Rights” is a workshop for union activists to understand the union’s history and participation in the fight for change and social justice, and to develop and implement customized action plans for workplaces.
- The United Steelworkers Anti-Harassment Program. In addition to our successful “Preventing and Dealing with Harassment in the Workplace,” we have added a new module specifically recognizing and supporting diversity. “Dealing with Cultural Diversity in the Workplace” is now available for Steelworker members and employers.
- “Women of Steel”: recognizing the particular issues and barriers faced by sisters of colour, we provide a course that is instructed and attended by sisters of colour only
For more information on how to access Steelworker education programs, please contact your USW staff representative or send an e-mail to info@usw.ca
Political action
- Steelworker members work side-by-side with the New Democratic Party and social democratic allies, lobbying for legislative change and enforcement of human rights.
- Together with the Steelworker Humanity Fund, our human rights activists are linking with labour partners globally to help fight racism and inequality.
Below are some suggested activities and links available on the internet to promote Asian Heritage Month.
In solidarity,
Ken Neumann
National Director
Celebrating diversity through our activism.
In our workplaces
- Speak out against racism and discrimination when it happens.
- Show interest in the culture of fellow workers – simply ask a fellow co-worker about their culture.
- Work towards equality and respect through education – ask for the USW Anti-harassment Training Program for your workplace.
- Get management to contribute to something useful – sponsor or co-sponsor an Asian Heritage Month event.
In our local unions
- Speak out against racism and discrimination when it happens.
- Encourage sisters and brothers of colour to participate and get active.
- Send members to “Women of Steel” and “Human Rights are Workers’ Rights” workshops.
- Establish local Human Rights Committees.
- Negotiate strong equality language into our collective agreements.
In our communities
- Speak out against racism and discrimination when it happens.
- Reach out to other equality seeking groups and allies
- Organize unorganized workers of colour to extend the Steelworker commitment of equality for all.
- Affiliate with the NDP, the political party that most effectively speaks for ALL workers, organized and unorganized.
Canadian Labour Congress
http://canadianlabour.ca/en/antiracism_statement
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
http://archives.cbc.ca/society/immigration/topics/1433-9285/
Asian Heritage, Canada
http://www.geocities.com/asianheritagecanadian/index3.html
Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage
http://www.asianheritagemonth.org/
Ryerson University
http://www.ryerson.ca/library/events/asian_heritage/
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HUMAN RIGHTS
