Tag Archives: clc

May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014

Posted on by

Ten years ago, on May 17th homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO). This victory was a historic step towards recognizing freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as a fundamental basic human right. Today the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) stands in solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) community in the struggle to end homophobia and transphobia.

Over the past ten years the movement to end homophobia and transphobia has gained strength.  Most recently, the struggle for protection from discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression has built momentum.  Many provinces and territories are either working on or have included gender identity and gender expressions in their human rights codes.  Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories already include gender identity and gender expression as forbidden grounds for discrimination under their Human Rights Codes.  Bill C-279, which would amend the Human Rights Act to include gender identity is now awaiting a vote in the Senate.

We still have many challenges.

Despite the work that has been done to eliminate homophobia and transphobia, crimes and hatred against the LGBTQ community still exist at home and abroad. Over 76 countries around the world have deemed same-sex relationships illegal, and in some areas being a member of the LGBTQ community is still punishable by death (capital punishment). In Uganda, draconian anti-homophobic legislation has resulted in increased violence and murders of gay activists, individuals and allies. Russia’s law banning “homosexual propaganda”  has sparked an increase in homophobic violence.  The law even imposes fines for anyone providing information on homosexuality to minors and puts the children of same-sex families at risk. 

Even in Canada there are challenges to overcome. Despite the many gains in legislation and recognition for same-sex relationships and families, there is an increased backlash which puts these gains at risk.

Trinity Western University, a private Christian university in British Columbia is trying to establish a law degree program that would purposely exclude any student openly LGBTQ from graduating. The school has also asked its students to avoid homosexual sexual activities. Despite these clearly discriminatory policies, the new program has received preliminary approval from B.C.’s Ministry of Advanced Education, and from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.

The Ontario English Catholic Teacher’s Association (OECTA) has faced considerable backlash for its decisions to support  Gay-Straight Alliances in schools and participate in Toronto’s World Pride parade. 

Teachers understand that LGBTQ students still face extreme cases of bullying which lead to dropping out of school, social isolation and, tragically, death and suicide.  According to OECTA’s President, James Ryan, “OECTA believes that taking the public stand of marching in the WorldPride Parade 2014 will provide comfort and support to our students and teachers who frequently struggle in a hostile environment that does not offer them the support and protection they are owed as citizens of Ontario and Canada”. The Canadian Labour Congress commends the dedicated teachers and students who fight these injustices everyday by forming Gay Straight Alliances, safe spaces, who teach anti-bullying and promote acceptance of all gender identities in the school.

Canada’s labour movement will continue to fight for fairness and equality for our LGBTQ members and their loved ones―in the workplace and in the broader community. We are committed to continuing the fight for workplace legislation against violence and bullying, as well as federal legislation and stronger collective agreement language for LGBTQ people. The CLC will continue to work with our allies to mobilize the Senate to pass Bill C-279 for trans people to have full rights under Canada’s Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Together, we will end homophobic and transphobic discrimination in our workplaces and communities.

New Canadian Labour Congress chief vows aggressive approach

Posted on by

Grant Robertson The Globe and Mail    May. 08 2014

Hassan Yussuff is secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress. (Handout)

The Canadian Labour Congress has chosen a new president for the first time in 15 years, in a move that suggests a deeper shift within the organization that represents most of Canada’s unions.

Hassan Yussuff, who served as secretary-treasurer of the CLC since 2002, defeated incumbent president Ken Georgetti in a close vote held Thursday at the organization’s annual convention in Montreal.

Mr. Yussuff becomes the first minority president of the labour congress, defeating Mr. Georgetti by a slim margin. Mr. Yussuff received 2,318 votes, which was 40 votes ahead of Mr. Georgetti’s 2,278.

The CLC represents 3.3 million workers and includes many of the largest unions and trade organizations in the country. Mr. Georgetti held the president’s job since 1999 and won the endorsement of several large groups, including the Telecommunications Workers Union, which publicly backed his bid for re-election last month.

However, Mr. Yussuff is said to have amassed support among a number of unions that were unhappy with the congress in recent years, and wanted the organization to employ new approaches to guiding the labour movement.

Born in Guyana, Mr. Yussuff came to Canada to work as a heavy truck mechanic and joined the labour movement through membership in the Canadian Auto Workers. He joined the CLC as executive vice-president in 1999, becoming the first person of colour to serve at the executive level of the organization. He also served as an observer in the 1994 South African elections, which saw Nelson Mandela named president.

Mr. Georgetti, who is from Trail, B.C., was the longest-serving president. The CLC grew by 750,000 members, or almost 30 per cent, during his presidency. But that growth came at a time when Canadian economists and academics have debated whether the power of unions has been eroded in Canada, due to shifting industries and changing legislation.

Conversations within the labour movement have questioned whether new approaches are needed, and Mr. Yussuff has said he wanted to bring a more aggressive approach back to the CLC and its membership.

“There is a wind of change blowing in Canada’s trade union movement,” Mr. Yussuff said in a statement on his campaign website. “There is a desire and a demand to return to the offensive for rights and progress for workers after decades of retreat and decline.”

While the race was close, the victory was helped considerably when challenger Hassan Husseini ended his campaign this month and threw his support behind Mr. Yussuff. That move gave him enough votes to unseat the incumbent.

Mr. Yussuff has been a vocal critic of the federal government’s approach to labour negotiations and its interventions in several public sector disputes, which he argues has unilaterally stripped rights from workers in B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia. He has also been vocal about conditions in the private sector, particularly as pensions come under fire.

“The reality for private sector unions is that the manufacturing base has been weakened, pensions are under severe attack, and union density has declined,” Mr. Yussuff said on his website.

“An entire generation is being offered lower wages, fewer benefits, and a less stable future than their parents before them.”

CLC Convention Discuss Policy Papers

Posted on by

27th Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress May 5-9, 2014

Policy Papers

Discussion Paper – Organizing for a Fairer Tomorrow

Our Challenge: Completing the Deal

At the core of the labour movement stands our capacity to negotiate a fair deal in the workplace, one that delivers both incredible value to workers as well as positive social and economic spin-offs that benefit their communities and Canadian society as a whole. That often overlooked contribution was recently praised by Conservative Senator Hugh Segal, who declared that active unions and free collective bargaining have been critical to the establishment of a stable and prosperous middle class, making Canada “a better place to live.”

At the bargaining table and in the public policy sphere, unions have won gains and benefits that have lifted the living standards of all Canadians. For working people, the collective agreements delivered by the labour movement are the great equalizer, producing higher wages, workplace pensions, health benefits, job security, health and safety protections, and fair treatment at work.  Read more…

Policy Paper: Setting the stage for union renewal: Changing demographics in the workforce

Newcomers to Canada, Aboriginal peoples, youth, racialized employees, and persons with disabilities represent some of the largest groups of currently unorganized workers who stand to benefit from the Union Advantage. Because these workers struggle daily with issues like pay inequity and discrimination – matters that unions are well placed to tackle – the “together FAIRNESS WORKS” initiative could not be more timely for them.

Recognizing that the demographic changes occurring across Canada will need to be understood and reflected in the labour movement, the changing face and subsequent growth of union membership will be determined in large part by our ability to address the most pressing issues facing these communities. Read the entire paper.

Policy Paper: An economy for a fairer tomorrow

The task of each generation is to adapt Canada’s economic and social foundations to meet new realities while remaining true to our core values such as fairness and broadly shared prosperity. The labour movement, often in the face of fierce opposition and attacks from powerful and privileged interests, has embodied those values as it helped build Canada’s middle class and fought for fairness on behalf of all people.

Together, we have fought for and won many things that improve the quality of life for all Canadians: decent jobs, fair wages, and pensions; public Medicare and education; minimum wages, unemployment insurance, and safer workplaces; weekends, statutory holidays, and paid vacation time; and maternity, adoption, and parental leave. The record is clear: when workers get together and stand up for fairness—they get results.  Read more..

What Did Corporate Tax Cuts Deliver?

Posted on by

Canadian Labour Congress 

Jan 29, 2014

It has become the norm to believe that cutting corporate income taxes is good for the economy. We have been led to believe that cutting corporate income taxes to increase after-tax corporate profits would lead companies to re-invest in operations like research and development, machinery and staff training to boost productivity. This in turn would stimulate economic growth, and create better paying and more secured jobs.

But what did corporate tax cuts really deliver? What has happened to those tax dollars that were given away to corporations? Learn more: canadianlabour.ca