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Wednesday, April 10 is the International Day of Pink, a day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia in schools and communities.
By negotiating clauses into our collective agreements that prohibit discrimination, that promote employment equity and that create safe, harassment-free workplaces, we are able to protect workers from many forms of bullying. Our members in schools, universities, social services, municipalities, health care, airlines and elsewhere enjoy these benefits, which should extend to all people.
Thanks in part to our political advocacy, many of the benefits and protections first realized through collective bargaining are now shared among all Ontarians.
CUPE Ontario has been an active supporter of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. We supported member Martine Stonehouse in her historic court challenge relating to gender reassignment surgery, and publicly supported New Democratic MPP Cheri DiNovo’s groundbreaking anti-bullying bill, which passed at Queen’s Park last year.
More recently, we saw NDP-sponsored bills pass in the Ontario legislature and in Parliament that further the protection of transgender rights.
The past year has seen many important legislative advances that will help end bullying in schools, workplaces and communities.
But our work is not done. Too many young people and others suffer at the hands of bullies every day. We have also seen a disturbing trend to attack the very institutions and mechanisms that brought about the legislative changes that Ontarians are celebrating.
Federally and provincially, Conservatives are attacking unions and collective bargaining. We face legislation that will weaken our collective voice, our ability to negotiate strong collective agreements to protect the rights of workers, and our ability to press governments for legislation that ends bullying and harassment for everyone in our province.
By getting more involved in our union, you strengthen our collective voice and play a key role in advancing human rights for all Canadians.
On April 10, wear pink to celebrate our successes to date, to recommit to end all bullying and discrimination, and to continue building strong unions who advocate for us all.
Sincerely,
Fred Hahn, President Candace Rennick, Secretary-Treasurer
