OFL 2009 » women

Silence, honour, and commitment to eliminate violence against women

admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:21:40 +0000

Delegates today marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a minute of silence and renewed commitment to address the growing problem.

OFL secretary-treasurer Irene Harris made solemn reference to the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, when gunman Marc Lepine murdered 14 women at the Ecole Polytechnique. Two of the women worked there and were members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

In the 20 years since the Montreal massacre on Dec. 6, 1989, spousal violence has claimed the lives of 486 women and children in Ontario.

The OFL and affiliated unions work with the women’s community to bring about public education, new legislation, and collective agreements to ensure that women and children are safe in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

The United Nations designated November 25 the international day to eliminate violence against women in 1999. Women’s activists have marked that day as a day against violence since 1981.

Equity groups and public sector under attack – video

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:44:35 +0000

CLC executive vice-president Barb Byers talks about economic loss for women, Aboriginal workers, workers of colour, and workers with disability. And now, the public sector is under attack.

Unions are first and last lines of defence for many

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:11:37 +0000

Unions have to keep defending workers’ rights and elect political leaders who will do the same, CLC executive vice-president Barb Byers told delegates this morning.

As job losses continue to mount, and private sector workers struggle with unemployment and lost pensions, corporate leaders “are setting their sights” on the public sector.

“If they can silence us, they will have removed the first and the last lines of defense that many of our members and our community allies have,” said Byers.

She talked about the need to change the employment insurance program and pensions. Workers and communities across the country are suffering, and things are getting tougher for equity groups.

“The gains of women, workers of colour, Aboriginal workers, and workers with disabilities over the past 20 years are being wiped out by the effects of corporate greed,” she said.

Lots going on off the convention floor too

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:29:35 +0000

Here’s a list of events beyond the official convention proceedings.

Women’s Forum

Monday, Nov. 23

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Civic Ballroom

Human Rights Forum

Tuesday, Nov. 24

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Civic Ballroom

Youth Forum

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Civic Ballroom North

Aboriginal Circle

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

City Hall Room

Celebration Tribute

6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

Grand Ballroom