INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY REPORT 2011-2012
CUPE’s International Solidarity Report 2011-2012 is published by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, 1375 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, Ontario K1G 0Z7 © CUPE 2011. This report is available at CUPE.ca Union printed using vegetableoil based inks on recycled paper processed chlorinefree and containing 100% post-consumer waste, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Written by: Kelti Cameron, Rhonda Spence, Barbara Wood, Farid C. Partovi, Ronald Boisrond, Dan Gawthrop, Robert Lamoureux, John McCracken, Pam Beattie, Map research: Nicole Chenier Managing Editor: Catherine Louli Editorial Assistants: Hélène Bélanger, Valérie Ménard
Cover photo: iStock
ISSN #1920-1443
Back cover photo: Ronald Boisrond
Electronic copy of the International Solidarity Report available at cupe.ca/2012international solidarityreport.
Photo credits: Front cover: iStock P. 2 & 3: iStock P. 4 & 5: André “Pépé” Périard P. 6 & 24: Ronald Boisrond P. 7 & 16: Ian Clysdale P. 8 & 21: Josh Berson P. 9: CUPE design P. 14: Robert Lamoureux P. 16: Ian Clysdale P. 17,19 & 22: Barbara Wood
Design: Jocelyn Renaud
cope491
INTRODUCTION Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 CUPE’s 25th National Convention 4 Trade and Investment 6 Global solidarity in action 8 Human rights 10 HIV/AIDS 14 Alternative World Water Forum 15 Public Services International 17 Project updates 20 Some regional initiatives 22 The Harper Conservative government cuts to international aid 23 Moving forward
Over the past year, millions of people around the world stood up for justice and found inspiring ways to implement positive and meaningful change in their communities. Working people around the world are struggling in the face of financial austerity measures and economic structural adjustment programs that force privatization of public services and deny millions access to health services, education and jobs. The right to life sustaining water and energy is a daily struggle for many in the global south. During these tumultuous times international solidarity has never been more important. From Greece to Burma, Wisconsin to Iran, social, economic and climate justice are what connects us. Millions of people continue to stand up for justice and a better future. The global village connects us all, and CUPE stands shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers around the globe.
Support for CUPE’s international work took a step forward when convention delegates adopted a resolution to ensure sustainable and stable funding for the Global Justice Fund. A robust Global Justice Fund will ensure consistent funding for important international project work. We invite you to review the progress we have made with our global justice projects and our international work over the past year. Two years after the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti, we are encouraged to see the completion of the re-construction of the union building for the Confederation of Private and Public Sector Workers (CTSP). This project, done in colÂlaboration with other unions and Public Services International, is an important step in the process of rebuilding.
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CUPE condemned the represÂsion of trade unionists in Iran, Colombia and the Philippines. We supported protest actions in Madison, Wisconsin where trade unions, students, religious leaders, immigrant rights activists and farmers continue to resist government plans to take away the rights of state workers to collectively bargain. Closer to home we hosted a Canadian tour of Burmese exiles from the Thai-Burma border who continue to promote human rights and democracy in Burma. This is just a small sampling of the international work CUPE members, leaders and staff have undertaken over the past year. We thank the CUPE locals and divisions who continue to contribute to the Global Justice Fund, and encourage more members, locals and divisions to join us in our international solidarity work.
25 NATIONAL CONVENTION, VANCOUVER 2011 th
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VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE
CUPE’s 25th National Convention marked a major step forward in raising the profile and support for international solidarity. Delegates were united in their support for the global justice funding resolution which calls for a plan to ensure sustainable and stable funding for our global justice work by 2013. Leaders from every corner of the country recognize the urgency and necessity to tackle issues that impact both Canadian workers and our sisters and brothers around the globe. Our vision is to promote solutions that bring decent work and respect for the rights of workers. We want real gains in the struggle for climate, economic and social justice. By sup porting the stable funding resolution, delegates to convention stepped forward in a concrete way to say, “What we desire for ourselves we wish for all.” Our international guests were part of convention forums and activities.
Their presence provided a richer experience for delegates and they gained a broader perspective of issues faced by CUPE members. Many delegates were able to meet and speak directly with our international guests about our mutual concerns. Sister Eleanor Smith, President of UNISON, our sister public sector union in the United Kingdom, participated in the health care sector meeting and Sister Margarita Lopez, President of SINTRACUAVALLE, a Colombian water workers’ union, was part of the water workers’ meeting. HIV/AIDS work internationally was highlighted at the Equality Forum by a presentation by Sister Juneia Batista from the Public Services International in Brazil and Brother Aung Naing Soe spoke to delegates at the Young Workers Forum. Brother Dukens Raphaël spoke directly to delegates as part of a presentation to convention on the progress of rebuilding the CTSP union office in Haiti. 3
Wednesday night’s Global Justice Forum, themed “Democracy and the Struggle for Justice,” was a lively Q&A session featuring comparative perspectives from Burma, Haiti and Wisconsin. Burmese youth activist Mi Aie Son, Haitian labour leader Dukens Raphaël, and American Federation of Teachers VicePresident Candice Owley discussed the challenges of fostering democratic movements in the face of perverse socio-economic inequality, defending public services and promoting international solidarity. “You mustn’t fall asleep at the switch. Don’t let happen here what happened to us,” said Owley, referring to low voter turnout in Wisconsin that led to an “ultraconservative” Republican sweep and then a total assault on the labour movement.
TRADE AND INVESTMENT FOR OVER TWO YEARS, CANADA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING A NEW TRADE AGREEMENT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. THE PROPOSED DEAL IS CALLED THE COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC AND TRADE AGREEMENT (CETA).
According to the Harper government, the goal of CETA is to remove barriers to trade, allowing multinational corporations unfettered access to Canadian markets. The so-called “barriers” are the very policymaking and regulatory powers that keep public services and communities strong – the power of governments and public agencies to require local purchasing or to regulate in order to protect workers, the environment, and public health. CUPE concluded a successful 16 city tour across Canada in 2011. National President Paul Moist and Council of Canadians National
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Chairperson Maude Barlow met with thousands of concerned community members to discuss the dangers of this trade agreement. There have been nine full rounds of negotiations, and a final agreement could be signed as early as Fall 2012. In January, leaked documents revealed that Canada’s negotiating position is opening up our water and wastewater services to privati zation. This would be the first time Canada has allowed our drinking water and sewage treatment ser vices to be ruled by an international
trade treaty, and the first time a trade agreement will cover municipalities seeking tenders to build water infrastructure. The Canada-EU trade deal as proposed would lock in the small amount of privatization that exists in Canada’s water systems, and encourage the further commercialization of water and wastewater services. It will throw up significant roadblocks to government regulation of water that meets community and environmental needs not the needs of corporations. European corporations will gain new rights to sue local governments if a policy is ever deemed a threat to their profits.
Argentina, Bolivia, Tanzania, Germany, Canada and other countries have found themselves before closed-door investment tribunals as corporations challenge decisions about the management of water services or the protection of source water under other trade agreements. Claims by foreign investors can run into the hundreds of millions of dollars and are increasing with each new investment treaty. CUPE was a signatory to an international declaration calling for an alternative investment model that is based on democratic principles and public interest priorities as part of a Week of Action on Investment Treaties organized by the Seattle to Brussels Network.
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There is growing momentum in municipalities across the country, including the City of Toronto and Montreal, and the Hamilton Wentworth school board to pass resolutions that ask to be exempted from CETA. CUPE, and our allies from the Trade Justice Network, are clear that our communities are not for sale.
GLOBAL SOLIDARITY IN ACTION 6
INAUGURATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE CONFEDERATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS
INAUGURATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE CONFEDERATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS
RECLAIM WISCONSIN DEMONSTRATION
Haiti 2012
Wisconsin
It was an emotional event held in March 2012, in Port-au-Prince. One hundred people attended the inauguration of the office of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (Confédération des travailleurs et travailleuses des secteurs public et privé-CTSP).
The President of the CTSP, Dukens Raphaël, delivered a heartfelt tribute, warmly thanking CUPE and the other partners who made the reconstruction project possible. “This new building will allow us to stimulate quality worker participation in the reconstruction of Haiti.”
Two years after the destruction of the CTSP office building during the earthquake of January 12, 2010, several participants in the reconstruction project returned to Haiti to attend this highly anticipated event.
The rebuilding of the CTSP office was made possible by the contri butions of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, as well as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ) and the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS).
The inauguration was held in conjunction with the Public Services International Conference (PSI) for the Americas. This year the conference was held for the first time in Haiti and was chaired by CUPE National President Paul Moist.
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March 2012 marked the one year anniversay of the passage of legislation stripping public service workers of their free collective bargaining rights in the state of Wisconsin. As part of the public services international PSI Quality Public Services- Action Now! Campaign, CUPE particpated in the Reclaim Wisconsin campaign activites. The CUPE team assisted in telling the stories of Wisconsin workers around the world through traditional media and social networking.
HUMAN RIGHTS
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Burma
Iran
Two Burmese pro-democracy activists, co-sponsored by CUPE’s Global Justice Fund, Canadian Friends of Burma and CUSO Inter national, toured Canada and inspired CUPE members at the national convention.
video clips from various news agencies and websites and distributed it inside Burma. The NYF provides human rights training for young people from ethnic Burma areas with limited access to Internet and media.
Aung Naing Soe, 32, is general secretary of the Nationalities Youth Forum (NYF), a multi-ethnic youth umbrella organization representing 13 groups and 11 ethnicities. Aie Son, 31, is chairperson and deputy director of programs for the Mon Youth Progressive Orga nization (MYPO). Both based in Mae Sot, Thailand, their organizations provide human rights, media, and other forms of training for border-area ethnic people inside Burma, also known as Myanmar.
The population continues to struggle against mega-projects being built in Burma by China and India, including major pipelines and a new economic free trade zone.
Despite the oppressive conditions of media censorship, limited Internet and cell phone access, and the threat of arrest, jail or violence, these Burmese exiles on the Thai-Burma border continue to promote human rights and democracy with tenacity, inventiveness, and courage. During the 2007 “Saffron Revolution,” when the country’s Buddhist monks led a nationwide protest against the military regime, MYPO collected information, photos and
PRO-DEMOCRACY BURMESE ACTIVISTS AIE SON AND AUNG NAING SOE
Our Global Justice Fund has provided support to human rights defenders working on the Thai-Burma border for many years. CUPE and CUSO/VSO most recently supported a postcard campaign with the Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma. A new civilian regime has since implemented sweeping changes in recent months, including allowing multi party elections into mainstream politics and releasing hundreds of political prisoners. CUPE’s Global Justice Fund and CUPE 2440 (CUSO) will continue to support the development of young Burmese leaders via youth Internships. These internships will enable human rights advocates to gain skills critical to their organizations.
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Despite ongoing efforts by the CUPE Ontario Global Justice committee to bring prominent Iranian labour activist Mahmoud Salehi to Canada, the government refused him entry. Salehi was to speak to CUPE members and the public in Ontario on a provincial speaking tour. The political situation in Iran is very volatile. Despite severe state repression, workers, women and students continue to struggle for their rights. This ongoing struggle for rights coupled with the economic sanctions imposed by the US government and its allies on Iran have resulted in ever-increasing poverty and unemployment levels in the country. The economic sanctions’ main victims have been the working class and poor in Iran, rather than the regime of the Islamic Republic. In fact, the regime uses the economic sanctions and threats of war by the US and its allies as a pretext to expand its repression of dissent or of any social justice initiatives in Iran. Labour activists and worker organizations in Iran strongly oppose the economic sanctions and the threat of war. For more information about the situation of labour movement and imprisoned workers in Iran, please contact info@workers-iran.org/www. workers-iran.org.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS IS A WORKPLACE ISSUE AND UNIONS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN CREATING SAFE, DISCRIMINATIONFREE ENVIRONMENTS AS WELL AS EQUAL ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR BOTH WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH HIV/AIDS. That has been CUPE’s focus over the last year, with a number of actions and events to move this agenda forward. Following our successful campaign to include universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the 2010 G8 declaration, we moved forward with a joint call
Yes,Yo HIV/AIDS is a workers’ issue
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to ensure work-based approaches to HIV/AIDS. We were successful in having this recommendation become part of the Political Declaration at the 2011 United Nations meeting on AIDS. The recommendation calls for the world of work to play a significant role in preventing HIV transmission and providing treatment, care, and support for HIV-affected workers and their families, as well as in protecting their human rights. The Canadian labour delegation worked with representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Canadian civil society activists to lobby government representatives and put forward a workers’ agenda for prevention and universal access to treatment and support.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a declaration at the end of its three-day high-level meeting on AIDS in June 2011, setting targets to end AIDS and charting a global response for the next five years. Canada must lead in calling on the G8 to implement the 2011 UN Political Declaration on HIV & AIDS and to replenish new resources to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. It is time for G8 countries to implement the International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation concerning HIV/AIDS and the World of Work. Our next step in the campaign is to work with employers and government to develop a broad strategy and workplace-based approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention.
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We continue to work with unions and civil society organizations worldwide in the campaign for universal access to treatment, prevention, and support. Both CUPE and CUPE British Columbia through their global justice work are supporting the work of AIDS-Free World. Aids Free World was initiated by Stephen Lewis, but unlike the Stephen Lewis Foundation, AIDS-Free World is not a charitable organization to assist those affected by the AIDS/ HIV pandemic. AIDS-Free World was established to fight for more urgent and effective responses to the AIDS/HIV pandemic as well as advocating for human rights, and against homophobia and sexual violence around the world.
SOLIDARITY LETTERS AND ACTIONS 2011-2012 BURMA Letter to release all political prisoners in Burma Postcard campaign – Release of political prisoners Letter to Kyaw Tin, Burmese Ambassador to Canada, regarding the need to institute democratic reform and end human rights abuses CUPE 2440, Building the capacity of human rights Defenders from Burma, Phase II & III
CANADA CUPE NEB donation: OXFAM East Africa Food Crisis World Aids Day Winnipeg Event
CENTRAL AMERICA
CUBA
HEU/ CODEMUH, Empowering Women Maquila Workers – Strengthening the Central American Network
COLOMBIA Letter to S.E. Juan Manuel Santos to protest the attacks on AfroColombians community organizations and their leaders Support PSI campaign for municipal workers, Cali, Colombia CUPE B.C. / NOMADESC, Defending Human Rights with Colombian trade unionists
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SNTAP / CUPE B.C., Strengthening solidarity between Cuban public sector unions and CUPE
ECUADOR Letter to Rafael Correa Delgado to protest for arbitrary dismissals in the Ecuadorian Public Sector
FIJI Letter to Commodore Josaia Bainimarama regarding Trade Union Repression in Fiji
FRANCE World Water Forum, Marseille, France Alternative World Water Forum (FAME)
HAITI
NICARAGUA
Support for the CTSP building reconstruction
HONDURAS HEU/CODEMUH, Empowering Women Maquila Workers in occupational health and safety
IRAN Support for workers
MEXICO
CUPE support for Mexican Electrical Workers (SME): letters, financial contributions, publicity campaigns, sponsoring an observer to elections
SWITZERLAND
MEC / CUPE B.C., Empowering
Women Maquila Workers – Capacity building and training for the MEC Mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution centre
PHILIPPINES
Letter to President Benigno S. Aquino III regarding the extrajudicial killing of Rabenio Sungit
CUPE 4600/OCHRP, Phases III
to V: Defend Human Rights in the Philippines: A Worker to Worker Solidarity Project
SOUTH AFRICA South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) 13
PSI committee meetings
UNITED NATIONS CUPE support for the work of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. CUPE participation to UN General Assembly High Level meeting - HIV / AIDS, UN Headquarters, New York
UNITED STATES
PSI Quality Public Service – Action Now! Campaign participation in the Reclaim Wisconsin campaign activities in Madison Wisconsin
ALTERNATIVE WORLD WATER FORUM CUPE participated in a Public Service International (PSI) delegation to the 6th World Water Forum (WWF6) and the Alternative World Water Forum (FAME – Forum Alternatif Mondial de l’Eau) in Marseille, France in March 2012. We took part in a week of activism, workshops, panel discussions and seminars culminating with a march for the Human Right to Water through the heart of Marseille. FAME was organized in stark contrast to the corporate-driven, undemocratic World Water Forum. CUPE is proud to be a member of the global labour and civil society movement working at all levels to defend, improve and extend public water systems. We renewed and deepened those connections at FAME. Social justice advocates, indigenous leaders, young people, academics, and public service workers from around the world
shared their experiences and views in a series of open forums. Access to safe water and the struggle that it be recognized as a fundamental right is costing activists and citizens their lives around the world. While in attendance at FAME, we learned that in Mexico a civil society water justice activist was murdered for opposing a Canadian mine that was diverting scarce water through a pipeline from their village to a controversial mining site. It is clear that the WWF6 will inform the Rio+20 Earth Summit where there is concern that the term ‘green economy’ is being used by the private sector to increase privatization and the commodification of our natural resources. Discussion at FAME focussed on ways to ensure water and wastewater systems are owned and controlled by the public sector and communities.
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Water re-municipalization and public-public partnerships were profiled, as were recent referendums and creative acts of resistance. In Italy, unions and civil society groups organised a referendum in which 96 per cent of voters opposed and blocked water privatization. In Thessaloniki, Greece, workers and citizen groups have organized in neighbourhood cooperatives to buy shares in the water utility which the government proposes to sell (for a fraction of its real value) under the pressure of austerity measures. CUPE, under the umbrella of PSI, joined with civil society allies in calling for the establishment of a legitimate United Nations-led water council and forum where public water policy can be created in an inclusive atmosphere free of corporate influence.
PUBLIC SERVICES INTERNATIONAL OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, CUPE HAS TAKEN A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN PUBLIC SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (PSI). THE PSI IS A GLOBAL TRADE UNION FEDERATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES IN EVERY PART OF THE WORLD, BRINGING TOGETHER MORE THAN 20 MILLION WORKERS REPRESENTED BY 650 UNIONS IN 148 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES. In 2010, Brother Paul Moist was elected co-chair of the Inter-Americas Regional Executive Committee and a member of the PSI Executive Board. Brother Moist led a review of the PSI constitution over the past year in preparation for the upcoming World Congress in Durban, South Africa in November 2012. Over the last two years, affiliates in Canada and the United States have come together in meetings in Ottawa and in Washington to become more familiar with the issues each affiliate faces and to discuss common challenges to public service workers. CUPE has taken an active role in the Quality Public Services Action Now! campaign, providing news of our campaign successes and resources to campaigns outside of Canada. Increasing our solidarity with public sector workers worldwide only improves the fight for public services and the rights and conditions for public service workers here in Canada.
RECLAIM WISCONSIN PROTEST
BACKGROUND IMAGE – ALTERNATIVE WORLD WATER FORUM
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Canada US affiliate meeting In late January 2012 leaders and staff of 17 unions affiliated with the PSI in North America met in Washington to discuss the specific projects and initiatives for PSI North America. This meeting between Canada and the United States affiliates was unprecedented and promises to inspire greater cooperation and coordination among affiliates in both countries.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) At the International Labour Conference of the ILO held in May, delegates discussed fundamental principles and rights at work. These include freedom of association and the right to free collective bargaining, elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment.
The United Nations ABORIGINAL WOMEN The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) succeeded in their request to have the United Nations conduct an inquiry into the murders and disappearances of Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. NWAC and FAFIA asked the UN to investigate Canadian violations of the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on the issue of violence against Aboriginal women on several occasions. They were granted a hearing by the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights in late March 2012. CUPE supports an inquiry into this matter, and called on the Harper government to cooperate with the United Nations CEDAW Committee so that the appalling situation will be brought to light and actions will be taken to end it.
RECLAIM WISCONSIN PROTEST
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STATUS OF WOMEN The rights of rural women to decent work and the importance of quality public services and education was the focus of the 56th session of the United Nations’ Commission of the Status of Women held in late February 2012. CUPE equality representative Maureen Morrison along with other trade unionists called on governments to commit to concrete measures that ensure women living in rural areas enjoy opportunities for economic, social and human development. At the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women held in March 2011, CUPE representative Annick Desjardins participated as one of over 80 trade union delegates promoting women’s access to full employment and decent work. The delegation made it clear that public services play a critical role in supporting women’s equal work rights.
MAQUILA WORKERS. NICARAGUA
PROJECT UPDATES Nicaragua Maria Elena Cuadra (MEC) Movement for Unemployed and Working Women The CUPE Global Justice Fund’s ongoing support for the Mediation Centre within Movimiento de Mujeres Maria Elena Cuadra (MEC) in Managua, Nicaragua continues to have real benefits for workers in Nicaragua’s maquila industry. Last year over 2,200 workers were given legal advice. In the labour rights area, the success rate for employee compensation claims was over 80 per cent. This work fills in a serious gap in the national system, since the Ministry of Labour, existing unions and the Ministry of Health are unable, and in some cases unwilling, to pursue foreign companies operating under the Free Trade Zone agreements. Without MEC, these workers would be completely vulnerable to the whims of trans-nationals and their sub-contractors. This grassroots work with women workers over the years has also provided a base for the year’s biggest success: in January, the Law Prohibiting Violence Against Women was voted into legislation. Working in a broad coalition of women’s rights groups across the country, MEC helped gather support for the law, and rallied its allies to push Nicaraguan politicians to pass the bill. MEC Director, Sandra Ramos said that the law is dedicated to the 800 women who have been murdered in the last ten years in Nicaragua. 17
Honduras Women’s Collective The situation for women in Honduras has steadily worsened over the last few years – since the 2009 coup which overthrew a democratically elected government and established a de facto regime, a culture of impunity has spread throughout society. The Colectiva de Mujeres Hondureñas, San Pedro Sula Honduras (CODEMUH) has demonstrated leadership by educating women on the current political context and its effect on women. They have also denounced the current situation in the press. On a broader level, CODEMUH participates in national movements such as the Human Rights Coalition and the National Resistance Front. These alliances allow a broader perspective when fighting for the occupational health and safety of women workers with the Ministry of Labour and the Social Security Institute. CODEMUH has been successful in having 24 cases qualified as occupational illnesses in the last two years. This is the first time ever that women factory workers have had an Occupational Health and Safety diagnosis, and is a huge victory for women workers throughout the country. In November 2011, CoDevelopment a BC-based non-profit agency that works for social change and global education in the Americasorganized a tour of young Canadian workers, including CUPE 116, (University of British Columbia) member Brett Small, travelled to Honduras and met with CODEMUH to learn about the realities of working in maquilas and the current violence of the post-coup country.
Philippines The Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (OCHRP) and CUPE 4600 (Carleton University teaching and research assistants) are continuing to co-sponsor a worker to worker solidarity project in 2012 and 2013. The project is aimed at raising awareness and building relationships among public sector workers in Canada and the Philippines. The goal is to strengthen the movement against the privatization of public services, political repression, and the deteriorating human and labour rights situation in the Philippines. Phase III and IV of this project follow a 2009 cross Canada tour by trade unionists from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers - Philippines (ACT) and the Confederation for Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) and a 2010 visit to the Philippines by CUPE members. Phase III of the project involves direct support for a member mobilization and capacity building plan of action by ACT, and an awarenessraising campaign by COURAGE. Components of ACT’s plan of action include: support for delegates’ transportation to council meetings throughout the Philippines, improve understanding and management of national and regional concerns in the context of teachers’ work; and conduct member education about the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF). COURAGE’s campaign will consist of fact-finding and knowledgesharing initiatives to investigate
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and report on recent killings of public sector union leaders and union repression in the Philippines. In 2010, CUPE members met with Caloy Rodriguez, a COURAGE member and President of the Calamba Water District, in Laguna Philippines. Brother Rodriguez was killed for his trade union involvement. Planning for Phase IV is currently underway. This phase of the project will involve a second visit to Canada by trade unionists from ACT and COURAGE to deepen the links established in 2009 and to provide information regarding ongoing struggles in the Philippines. ACT’s General Secretary, France Castro, attended CUPE division conventions and spoke with union leaders, teachers’ groups, and Filipino community members across Canada in April 2012, and a similar visit is planned for COURAGE National President Ferdie Gaite in the fall.
CUBA National Union of Public Administration Workers Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Administración Pública (SNTAP) is the Public Administration Union in Havana, Cuba and has been a CUPE partner since 1995. SNTAP Havana ushered in new leadership in the fall of 2011. Our current project is focussed on facilitating infrastructure development to allow union education to take place. In the past, this has included building and renovating classrooms, purchasing furniture, improving the computer systems, and supporting transportation between classrooms.
WOMEN IN TRIANA, COLOMBIA – NOMADESC PROJECT
Natural disasters and the global economic climate have meant that the materials necessary to do this work haven’t been available in Cuba for several years. With the US blockade, goods remain in short supply or are very expensive. Additionally, the union has had to wait until the completion of disaster rebuilding or economic strengthening projects according to government priorities. We began to ship materials directly to Havana in 2012.
empower people to stand strong. NOMADESC organizes workshops that enable community leaders and members to learn about their basic human rights as well as how to defend them. They support communities to look more closely at their problems and to create plans for addressing those problems. In this way, communities have petitioned local authorities for services or joined with neighbouring communities to develop a regional human rights strategy.
Colombia Association for Social Research and Action
Last year, 136 community leaders participated in workshops to strengthen their ability to defend and promote human rights. One of the groups was made up of 18 women leaders from Triana, a small community in the southwest Colombia. The women are victims of state violence, having
As attacks against rural communities and human rights defenders continued during the year, CUPE’s Colombian partner, NOMADESC (Association for Social Research and Action) worked tirelessly to
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lost family members in massacres more than a decade ago. In Triana, NOMADESC facilitated a series of workshops on human rights and historical memory from a gender perspective. The Triana women have joined with other victims groups and are now asking the Colombian government for truth, justice and reparations for the crimes that were committed.
SOME REGIONAL INITIATIVES British Columbia Supporting Fair Trade in Nicaragua CUPE 1004 (City of Vancouver parks and recreation) members working at Café Ético and CoDevelopment Canada have launched an exciting new project with smallscale farmers in Nicaragua. For over 15 years, Café Ético has purchased coffee from farmer cooperatives in Latin America. Now, thanks to a new partnership with a private donor, we’ve begun funding a project to help farmers and their cooperatives increase the quality and production efficiency of their coffee. Working with Nicaraguan nonprofit ADDAC (Association for the Development of Diversified Communal Agriculture), the project
is funding a series of workshops on organic, bio-diverse farming, and has created a revolving credit fund for farmers so that they can invest in their farms’ coffee processing infrastructure. The project is also funding farmer co-operatives’ capacity to purchase and market their members’ coffee. Café Ético is proud to supply CUPE BC Regional office with premium fair trade coffee from Nicaragua. When you drink Café Ético coffee at CUPE BC, you’re standing in solidarity with small-scale farmers and recognizing their right to a fair price for their labour. To learn more about the project: etico@etico.ca.
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Manitoba AIDS awareness Manitoba’s CUPE Global Justice Committee marked World AIDS Day with a community extravaganza “Global Village – Local Voices” showcasing the different ways individuals and groups are responding to HIV both locally and globally. In collaboration with local partners and with a contribution from the CUPE Global Justice Fund this colourful multi-media event included speakers on HIV, story tellers, high impact video, African food, musical performances, art and the unveiling of the Manitoba HIV Memorial & Prevention Quilt. .
MARGARITA LÓPEZ PRESIDENT OF SINTRACUAVALLE, COLOMBIA
The evening was a smashing success with close to 250 people participating. Around the globe community groups, cities and workplaces raised awareness on December 1 – to mark World AIDS Day. Thirty years ago HIV/ AIDS came to the world’s attention. Since then significant progress has been made. Persons living with HIV are able to live healthy, long lives with proper treatment and access to health care. Conversely, incident rates continue to rise, over 34 million people around the world are HIV positive. Here in Canada HIV incident rates have risen particularly among IV drug users, Aboriginal and Métis women and among newcomers.
Nova Scotia Defenders of water The Nova Scotia Global Justice committee is developing a project with SINTRACUAVALLE - a water workers union in Colombia. The project “Community Support against the Privatization of Water” will support SINTRACUAVALLE and will be a collaborative project with our Canadian partner CoDevelopment. This is an exciting new initiative that will develop a citizen education campaign. It opposes the privati zation of the water sector and encourages the participation of civil society, and unions to develop joint action with the workers of SINTRACUAVALLE. Their goal will be to keep water in public hands.
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THE HARPER CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT CUTS TO INTERNATIONAL AID STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN MARCH IN HONDURAS
Development aid is meant to provide long term support to build economic and social justice in poorer countries. International Canadian non-governmental organ izations (NGOs) big and small have an excellent reputation and strong track record. They have made long term commitments and have provided Canadians with the opportunity to engage in development work that supports democratic values and human rights, improving the lives of women and girls and taking on a global agenda for equality and for environmental and economic sustainability. The Harper Conservative government does not support that vision. Bold moves have been made that signal wholesale change in the role of the Canadian government and foreign aid. Several NGOs have had
huge cuts to their funding including KAIROS, Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC), the Mennonite Central Committee and Development and Peace to name a few. Their partners overseas will be devastated as long term successful programs will close. Canada’s foreign aid is now focussed on the economic trade interests of Canada and geared towards a business model that does not take into account the need for decent work, environmental protection and the importance of human rights. Countries that desperately need development aid are no longer priorities and countries that are deemed important for Canada’s economic interests are top of the
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list. For example, support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is now going to Canadian mining companies operating overseas to subsidize programs that claim to mitigate the displacement of communities and environmental damage. CUPE is working with our NGO partners and the Canadian Labour Congress to stop this regressive agenda. We support the work of CCIC in their lobbying efforts and will continue to speak out on the travesty of these new policies. It is more important than ever for union members and their families to support our international NGO partners in promoting a viable and progressive international development agenda.
MOVING FORWARD WALL OF MEMORY LISTING THE NAMES OF EACH PERSON WHO HAS BEEN ASSASSINATED OR DISAPPEARED
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH WORKERS AROUND THE GLOBE.
International solidarity is the foundation of our movement for social, economic and environmental justice. Standing up for trade union and human rights, the right to water, energy and health care, and in defence of public services is a global challenge that requires global solutions. Building worker-to-worker solidarity projects is a concrete way for CUPE locals to learn from, and support, our sisters and brothers globally. We have had tremendous success with a modest fund and support for our solidarity work is growing. The adoption of the Global Justice stable funding resolution at our national convention will assist us in our Global Justice work into 2013. For less than a cup of coffee a day your local can contribute to the Global Justice Fund on an ongoing basis. Long term funding for our international solidarity work will support a growing global movement and allow us to continue important international projects. To stay connected to CUPE’s international work you can subscribe to the Global Justice newsletter at cupe.ca/globaljustice. Check cupe.ca regularly to read web postings on a host of international issues.
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LIST OF DONORS 24
OPEN AIR MARKET IN HAITI
Global Justice Fund donors April 2011 to present Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the CLC Labour International Development Program CUPE National CUPE Ontario Division, Markham, Ontario CUPE Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan CUPE Members & Staff CUPE 38 – Inside Workers, Calgary, Alberta CUPE 1063 – Compensation Employees of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba CUPE 1174 – Town of Summerside Police and Fire Departments, Summerside, Prince Edward Island CUPE 1860 – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation Employees, St. John’s, Newfoundland CUPE 1870 – University of Prince Edward Island Clerical, Administrative and Technical Employees, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Global Justice Committee Members and Alternates 2011 CUPE 2305 – Metro Community Housing Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia CUPE 2440 – CUSO-VSO Canada, Ottawa, Ontario CUPE 2722 – OXFAM, Nova scotia CUPE 2938 – Seven Oaks School Division Employees, Winnipeg, Manitoba CUPE 3008-01 – Cape Breton Transition House Counsellors, Sydney, Nova Scotia CUPE 3012 – Employees of Saskatchewan council for international co-operation, Regina, Saskatchewan CUPE 3260 – Educational Assistants and Youth Service Workers of P.E.I., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island CUPE 3067 – New Dawn Guest Home Employees, Sydney, Nova Scotia CUPE 3479 – North Island College Employees, Courtenay, British Columbia CUPE 4150 – Hospital Workers, Annapolis Valley District Health Authority, Nova Scotia
CUPE 1876 – Northside Community Guest Home, North Sydney, Nova Scotia
CUPE 4980 – Support Health Care Workers for Sunrise Health Region, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
CUPE 1933 – South Shore District Health Authority, New Germany, Nova Scotia
Joshua Berson Photography Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia
CUPE 1975 – University of Saskatchewan Employees Union CUPE 2087 – Municipal public library, Trail, British Columbia
CUPE 4777 – Prince Albert Parkland Health Care Workers, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Elizabeth A. White, NL and Labrador Jonathan Fourdraine, Nova Scotia Maciej (Matthew) Zawadzki, Prince Edward Island Debbie Downey, New Brunswick Ginette Paul (Co-Chair), Québec Pierre Girard (Alternate), Québec Ilian Burbano, Ontario Safia Gahayr, Ontario Marian White, CUSO-VSO Bill Hynd, OXFAM Barbara Wood, CoDev Sue Roth, Manitoba Jose Juarez, Saskatchewan Vickie Angell-Scheler (Alternate), Saskatchewan Mike R. McCann, Alberta Doug Sprenger (Co-Chair), British Columbia Carol Bunch, HEU Karene Benabou, Airline Denis Bolduc, NEB Liaison Kelti Cameron, Staff Person
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