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Good trade unionists understand that recognizing our differences makes us stronger. While some employers and some governments are intent on splitting working people apart, it is the union’s job to make sure all members are protected and given equal opportunity in their working lives.

The Human Rights Committee has a broad mandate in that it tackles minority and Aboriginal issues, as well as homophobia, issues affecting persons with disabilities and women’s issues. Committees are listed on the menu at the left of this page. In the last few years it has been concentrating much of its energy on the issues related to employment equity legislation.

The Human Rights Committee holds an annual conference that brings together members of different equity-seeking groups to discuss issues that affect all such groups, and to plan strategy to further the goals of equity within the union and more broadly in society.

Five members are elected from the floor of provincial convention. While these equality committees are working hard to ensure the rights of all members, they obviously can’t succeed without your help.

Whether you are a CUPE leader, an activist or a rank and file member, we need your help to make sure that all members understand – and are receptive to – our union’s message about equality. In some cases, however, CUPE may be the only place where members are getting information that promotes the rights of equality-seeking groups in a positive manner. The work of these committees forms a foundation for this important work within the union, but for CUPE’s commitment to equality to take true form it must go beyond the work of the committees and out into the hundreds of CUPE workplaces across the province.

Letter from Fred Hahn and Candace Rennick re. International Human Rights Day December 10, 2012

Read the 2012 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination letter from Fred & Candace


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