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"Through our discussion, we were able to show how the attack on labour rights, the lack of tax fairness, the lack of an organized strategy to create good jobs, with good wages and the reduction in public services all have a role to play in making income inequality worse, " said Larry Brown.
Windsor (22 Jan. 2014) – Almost 200 people fought the bitter cold on January 20 to attend the All Together Now! campaign's town hall forum, the Rich and the Rest of Us at the Caboto Club in Windsor. They came to hear more about the issue of income inequality and what is happening to their community as a result. But they also came to talk to each other about how to fix the problem of this ever-growing income gap.
The event was sponsored by the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) with its labour partners, the Canadian Media Guild (CMG/CWA Canada), the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario Fire Fighters Association of Ontario (OFFAO), the Ontario Nurses Union (ONA) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE). These unions have been part of an ongoing partnership hosting forums on income inequality throughout Ontario. During this forum series, the unions have worked with the Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) to make community connections as well. In Windsor, the organization Pathway to Prosperity was an organizing partner.
The diverse audience created an environment for a broad ranging conversation on many important issues such as the tax system, trade deals, manufacturing sector job losses, legislation limiting workers' rights and cuts to public services.
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| Ron Elliot, OPSEU Board Member Packed forum on income inequality Great questions from the floor | |||
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Adam Vaisey, Pathway to Potential Panel: Larry, Marion and Asha Members of the forum audience |
Panel engaged audience members in a conversation about what caused income inequality and what the solutions are
Getting the conversation started were panelists Larry Brown, National Secretary-Treasurer of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and Marion Overholt, executive director of Legal Assistance of Windsor. CBC TV News' Asha Tomlinson moderated the discussion, making sure to engage the audience at every stage.
"Through our discussion, we were able to show how the attack on labour rights, the lack of tax fairness, the lack of an organized strategy to create good jobs, with good wages and the reduction in public services all have a role to play in making income inequality worse," said Larry Brown."What we heard from people is that everyone is struggling. Union and non-union, we're all fighting for the same things. We want to live a decent life, not worry every day about how we are going to pay our rent, or education costs or clothing for our kids. And we're all prepared to work hard to achieve that.
"But we heard the frustration from people about working hard and not getting ahead. People who rely on vital public services are seeing them disappear, while corporations and the wealthy are handed ways NOT to pay their fair share of taxes. People know this doesn't add up," Brown continued. "It was impressive to see so many people come out with such a strong desire to make changes to the system to ensure it's not rigged to benefit the 1% but to benefit everyone."
Encouraged audience to use their voice to make change
When asked what people could do to make a positive change, Overholt responded by saying, "Get active."
"We all have our own obligations anddifferent abilities so we need to do whatever each one of us can to make a difference," Overholt encouraged. "It may mean volunteering or helping a neighbour. It may mean voting or talking to people about the issues. We need to use our collective voice to say what is happening is not right, and needs to be fixed."
ATN town hall series
The Windsor town hall forum is the fourth in the Ontario series on income inequality. Town halls have also been held, starting in January 2013, in Sudbury, Kingston and Hamilton.
More information:
Reality Check: Poverty in Windsor-Essex (Pathway to Potential)
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE