This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
It is vitally important that workers of colour not suffer for the economic failures of their employers and governments.
Ottawa (05 Feb. 2016) — February marks Black History Month as a time to celebrate the rich history of, and contributions by, Canadians of African and Caribbean descent. It also gives us all time to examine our progress in defending equality in our workplaces and communities.
Racial discrimination contributes to rising income inequality
We work toward racial equality but we see racial discrimination every day: carding and racial profiling in Canadian cities by police, discrimination in the criminal justice system, overrepresentation of African Canadians in the prison population, lack of access to education and training, low wage, precarious work. Income inequality continues to rise.
In this difficult economic time, not only are people losing their jobs or being forced to take on more precarious work, governments are continuing to cut the very public services that people need — and the cuts hit the most vulnerable families the hardest. Women are especially vulnerable during these periods of economic instability, since they face the double burden of work and home, including child and elder care. Consequently, women will feel the effects of job loss and the unstable economy more so than most men.
We are part of the fight for equality and justice for all
It is vitally important that workers of colour, indeed all workers, not suffer for the economic failures of their employers and governments.
"We celebrate the contributions Canadians of African and Caribean descent have made to enrich and strengthen our communities, " said James Clancy, National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "But we must work with our allies to improve their economic development and employment opportunities, and to fight discrimination at every level. As trade unionists, an injury to one, is an injury to all."
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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