A historic step towards greater protections for workers around the world
June 21, 2019
Canada’s unions join workers everywhere in celebrating today’s historic adoption of a new International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention and Recommendation addressing violence and harassment in the world of work. After over a year of negotiations with governments, employers, and workers, the Centenary International Labour Conference adopted the new framework at its convention in Geneva. “It is a historic day,” said…
Canada’s unions mark National Indigenous Peoples Day by calling for further action towards reconciliation
June 21, 2019
This National Indigenous Peoples Day, Canada’s unions say action on reconciliation must become an urgent national priority. Earlier this month, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released its final report, including 231 Calls for Justice to address the alarming rate of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. To date, no implementation plans…
Canada’s unions play key role in ILO negotiations on addressing violence at work
June 11, 2019
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Representatives from labour, governments, and employers are meeting this month as part of the 108th International Labour Conference in Geneva. Marie Clarke Walker, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), serves as the Worker Spokesperson and will continue as a key leader in the effort to strengthen obligations…
Prohibiting violence and harassment in the world of work
June 10, 2019
By Marie Clarke Walker The numbers are staggering. More than 800 million women globally have experienced some form of violence and harassment, ranging from physical assault to verbal abuse, bullying and intimidation, according to the International Trade Union Confederation. Here in Canada, a 2018 Angus Reid study found that 1 in 2 women reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.…
Time for Pride celebration, and resistance to attacks on human rights, say Canada’s unions
June 5, 2019
As Pride events are held in communities across the country, Canada’s unions are celebrating the achievements of LGBTQ2SI activism from coast to coast, while committing to challenging the rise of racism and hate politics threatening human rights around the world. “Pride season is an important moment to come together and celebrate the victories and visibility of LGBTQ2SI activism in our…
Canada’s unions support the call for immediate action to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people
June 3, 2019
Canada’s unions are calling the long-awaited report on the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls the necessary and long overdue blueprint for immediate action. The report, released today, follows three years of painful testimonies from 2000 affected individuals and their families, shared during dozens of community meetings across the country. “The final report calls what is happening…
Canada’s unions urge federal government to help restore peace in Venezuela
January 30, 2019
The Canadian Labour Congress, representing over 3 million Canadian workers, calls on the Government of Canada to promote dialogue to foster a peaceful solution to the Venezuelan crisis. Canada is among several countries, including the U.S. and Brazil, that endorsed Juan Guaidó, Venezuelan opposition leader and President of the National Assembly, who declared himself interim President of Venezuela last week.…
Canada’s unions mark Human Rights Day by challenging rising racism and discrimination
December 10, 2018
Canada’s unions are marking International Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by calling on Canadians to collectively confront racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. With hate crimes on the rise, the Canadian Labour Congress is encouraging people to endorse the Charter for Inclusive Communities which promotes “inclusive, just, and respectful communities in Canada”. Recent data released by…
Paid leave can help break the cycle of domestic violence
December 6, 2018
As published in the Globe and Mail Nearly three decades after the massacre of 14 women at Montreal’s École Polytechnique, we continue to grapple with the shameful reality that far too many women face violence, harassment and abuse in their lives. While we haven’t yet been able to eradicate all violence against women, we can eliminate barriers that prevent people…