The CLC recently produced an important guide on trans issues “Workers in Transition: A Practical Guide for Union Representatives” available through the Equality Branch in your region or at the national office.
community partner and especially to strengthen labour’s role in its work.
Planning was in the works for a Solidarity and Pride Conference for this fall, but was unfortunately cancelled by the CLC.
There have been a number of changes in the composition of the committee over the last two years.
Committee comings and goings
We want to thank the outgoing members of 2005-2007 for their contributions: Ian Crichton, Alberta; Kimberley Lucas, British Columbia; Jean-Pierre Le Clerc, Québec; and Kevin Rebeck, NEB Liaison. Newly appointed in 2007 were: Hans Rollman, Newfoundland and Labrador; Line Blackburn, Québec; Graham Potts, Ontario; Caleb Rosenthal, Alberta; Peter DeGroot, British Columbia; and Tracey Beastall as NEB Liaison.
HIV/AIDS The committee has been calling on the national union to form a national working group to formulate policy and action on this issue, including the updating of educational materials for CUPE members. We were pleased that the national union recently held a strategic planning meeting on HIV/AIDS and that several of our committee members were invited to attend. Participants at the meeting made several important recommendations and we look forward to being able to contribute to the next steps in this process.
During 2007-2009, there were some more changes to acknowledge. Darcie Beggs, staff advisor went on a year’s sabbatical and has taken up a new assignment since her return; Caleb Rosenthal and Thomas Marshall stepped down; a second trans-representative, Jesse Invik, joined in; and Joanne Martin was appointed staff advisor.
Egale Canada The committee continues to work collaboratively with Egale, our national community partner (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere). Egale has been working on a wide range of issues that are relevant to CUPE members. Their Safe Schools Campaign to create a safe and inclusive space for LGBT students, children of LGBT parents, LGBT teachers and staff in our schools affects not just our families but the workplaces of many CUPE members.
Each member and staff brings their own knowledge, skills and passion to this work – work that hopefully benefits not only our LGBT communities within CUPE – but also contributes to the progress of CUPE’s equality agenda more broadly. We thank each and every member, past and present, of the committee for their activism and commitment and we thank the CUPE membership for allowing us this opportunity to serve our union.
Recently they spoke out against the delisting of sex reassignment surgery in Alberta at a time when other provinces are relisting this medically necessary service. We also hope that we will be able to work with them on a national trans human rights campaign to lobby for the inclusion of gender identity and gender expression in all human rights legislation across the country.
We look forward to the future to continue our work in education, HIV/AIDS, trans issues, working with our national labour and community partners and our international partners.
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ABORIGINAL COUNCIL
During Black History Month in 2009, Egale gave out several Queer Black History Month awards to recipients in the arts, community activism and trans activism. We hope that this initiative is built upon to hopefully include labour activism in the future.
The members of the council are: Derrick Baldwin and Linda Holwell-Tibbo, Newfoundland and Labrador; Sheila HartleyGallion, Nova Scotia; Leo Cheverie, Prince Edward Island; Pauline Diotte, New Brunswick; Daniel Blacksmith, Québec; Glen Leblanc and Joanne Webb, Ontario; Shirley Langan and Roger Procyk, Manitoba; Geraldine Harris, Saskatchewan; Gloria Lepine and Dale White, Alberta; Leanne Louie and John Thompson, British Columbia; Martin MacKenzie and Trudy Spiller, Hospital Employees Union, British Columbia; Melanie Poulin, Airline Division, Toronto; Brian Barron, NEB Liaison; and Don Moran, staff advisor.
The national union sponsors a table at the annual Egale fundraiser. This year members and staff attending were present to hear Justin Trudeau speak about the contributions his father made to human rights in Canada and in particular, LGBT rights. He also spoke about the need for more passion in contemporary politics, particularly among young people.
“video presentation”
The committee encourages members to learn more about Egale’s activities and will continue to work with our
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