New BCFED Working Group: Trans Workers

Dear Friends

At the request of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Workers Caucus, the BCFED is creating a Trans Workers Working group as a sub-committee of that caucus.

As per the BCFED policy on caucuses, only workers who identify as Trans are invited to attend this working group, as it is a sub-group of a caucus.

The first meeting of this group will take place on Thursday, June 17, 2021, beginning at 5:00 pm via Zoom.

If you identify as a Trans worker, and would like to be part of this working group, please send an e-mail to mperalta@bcfed.ca indicating that you would like to be added to the BCFED Trans Workers Working Group.

Group members will receive an e-mail in June with meeting details.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to any Trans workers who are members of BCFED affiliate unions who may be in your network.

We look forward to working with this group!

In solidarity,

SUSSANNE SKIDMORE
Secretary-Treasurer

BC Federation of Labour 200-5118 Joyce Street | Vancouver BC  V5R 4H1

The BC Federation of Labour is located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Territories.

AccessAbility Week – starting May 30th

National AccessAbility Week takes place every year starting on the last Sunday of May. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in Canada.

Accessibility is a human right. Everyone should be able to participate in our society, barrier-free.

As trade unionists, we know that our strength depends on the active participation of our members. We must ensure that our union is accessible for all members, including persons with disabilities.

CUPE recognizes that accessibility requires a proactive approach. We are committed to the principle of accessibility, and we work hard to identify, remove and prevent barriers to inclusion. This means making sure the needs of members with disabilities – whether visible or invisible, physical or cognitive, permanent, temporary or episodic – are front and centre.

To mark this year’s National AccessAbility Week, CUPE is launching a new accessibility tool for locals. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we interact and conduct meetings. Use our new Virtual Meeting Accessibility Checklist to help your local take an accessibility-first approach to virtual meetings and create online spaces that are more inclusive and accessible.

 

Celebrating Asian Heritage Month and BC Anti-Racism Awareness Week – May 26, 2021 6:00 pm

May 26 Event-Ga Gi-ANG – A participatory Conversation with Luna Aixin on Anti-Asian Racism

You are invited to celebrate the Asian Heritage month and the Anti-Racism Awareness Week in BC.  He have invited Luna Aixin to have this participatory conversation around Anti-Asian Racism.

*Note about Ga Gi Nang. It translates to the phrase Own People. It comes from Luna’s Teochew ancestors and is a well-known trait of Teochews. When you meet another Teochew, we treat you as our “Own Peopleregardless of how long we are in the presence of each other.

The event will be hosted via zoom and requires registration.  Please use this link  https://tinyurl.com/dcsuk8jj

 

Speakers at the 2021 CUPE BC Convention

Top row: Sheryl Burns (President)  advocating for Community Social Services at the mic and Deea Baiey (Community Services) speaking about Diversity.

Second row: CUPE BC executives – Paul Faoro (CUPE BC President) ; General Vice Presidents – Karen Ranalletta, Sheryl Burns, Nicole Edmondson, Michelle Waite

Your CUPE BC Convention 1936 Delegates

Here we are!  A picture of the 9 delegates (online) that are working hard to pass resolutions, and speaking for the betterment of the local and your union.  From top to bottom, left to right:  Sheryl Burns (President), Valeria Mancilla (Collingwood), Thais Pimentel Cabral (WJS), Bernice Way (Sec/Trea), Alexandra Velo Barnet (Wish), Vicky Gerlings (SASC), Lee Ann Lalli (Vice President), Deea Bailey (Community), Tanja Giljevic (NSDRC)

Racism Posters

One of our agency, Langley Community Services Society, wanted to share these posters on racism from one of the projects that they are involved with.  Please post and share these posters.  Powerful messages that everyone should see.

Anti- Racism Reminder #1 

Anti-Racism Reminder #2  

Anti-Racism Reminder #3   

Anti-Racism Reminder #4 (1)

Anti-Racism Reminder #5

Anti -Racism Reminder #6 (1)

Anti-Racism Reminder #7

Anti-Racism Reminder #8

For more information on Anti-Racism please go to antiracist.gov.bc.ca

Fundraiser for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters through FVDLC

Purchase your Music Bingo Tickets For Saturday May 15 @ 8pm ( Music Bingo Room Opens 7:30pm ) with all proceeds going to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley 

Tickets can be purchased here :    https://online.musicbingo.com/shop

Prize #1: Union Swag, $50.00 Liquor Store Gift Card  ( 80.00 Value )

Prize #2: $25.00 Cinamen Gift Card ,$25.00 Golden Ears Cheese Works Gift Card ,Union Swag / Framed Print of Whales

( 100.00 Value )

Prize # 3:  Wine Gift Box w/ 1 bottle of wine and $75.00 to Glass House Winery in Langley ( 105.00 Value )

Prize #4: Spa Gift Card $75.00 + Spa Accessories ie  Epson salts and nail polish ( 85.00 Value )

Prize #5: $50.00 Liquor Store Gift Card ,$25.00 Traceycakes Gift Card ,  ( 75.00 Value )

Prize # 6: $50.00 Restaurant + Growler + Fill   ( 80.00 Value )

 

Dear friends,

I wanted to let you know about the plans for this year’s commemoration of the National Day of Mourning on Wednesday, April 28.

As you know, the National Day of Mourning honours the memory of workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of their work. This is one of the most sacred days on our calendar.

It causes all of us real pain to know we can’t gather in person for the second year as we continue to deal with the pandemic. In fact, we are now fighting the most virulent wave of COVID 19 – which is itself a reminder of the dangers facing working people. But this date is too important for us to allow it to go unmarked.

So once again we are co-sponsoring the Day of Mourning along with the WCB, the Business Council of BC and the Vancouver and District Labour Council.

This year, instead of a face-to-face event, we will be observing the day with a virtual ceremony. It begins at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Please join us then at https://DayOfMourning.bc.ca.

And encourage friends, colleagues and members to come too. We may be separated by this pandemic, but we can still be together in grief, condolence and solidarity. A note that we ask that no wreaths be laid in the plaza.

We’ll mourn the dead and fight for the living. That means we recommit to our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of working people by:

Improving workplace health and safety;
Rigorously enforcing occupational health and safety regulations – and holding those who violate them to account;
Preserving the dignity of the thousands of workers who suffer injury or illness; and
Ensuring full compensation to those who have been hurt at work.
Together, we’ll do all we can to reach the goal I know you and I share: a province where every worker can go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday.

In solidarity,

W. LAIRD CRONK SUSSANNE SKIDMORE
President Secretary-Treasurer

BC Federation of Labour | 200-5118 Joyce Street | Vancouver BC V5R 4H1
The BC Federation of Labour is located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories.

This year, instead of a face-to-face event, we will be observing the day with a virtual ceremony. It begins at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Please join us then at https://DayOfMourning.bc.ca.

And encourage friends, colleagues and members to come too. We may be separated by this pandemic, but we can still be together in grief, condolence and solidarity. A note that we ask that no wreaths be laid in the plaza.

We’ll mourn the dead and fight for the living. That means we recommit to our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of working people by:

  • Improving workplace health and safety;
  • Rigorously enforcing occupational health and safety regulations – and holding those who violate them to account;
  • Preserving the dignity of the thousands of workers who suffer injury or illness; and
  • Ensuring full compensation to those who have been hurt at work.

Together, we’ll do all we can to reach the goal I know you and I share: a province where every worker can go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday.

In solidarity,

  1. LAIRD CRONK             SUSSANNE SKIDMORE
    President                      Secretary-Treasurer

BC Federation of Labour 200-5118 Joyce Street | Vancouver BC  V5R 4H1
The BC Federation of Labour is located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories.