Eye-opening interviews

interviews

Over the past few years, we’ve had the tremendous pleasure of interviewing historians, human rights activists, professors, researchers and labour leaders. The articles that were produced from these interviews have helped us understand some tough issues more profoundly.

We’re making improvements to our website to help you access more of the great content we’ve created. That’s why, from now on, we’ll be tagging these types of articles under UNE Interviews. You can access all the articles featuring these types of interviews by clicking here. All categories are accessible using the categories menu on the right-hand side of this page.

Here’s a look at some at just some of the interviews we’ve conducted:

Exclusive: our interview with Hassan Yussuff: This interview was so great, it got picked up by Rabble.ca. If you haven’t read it, you’re really missing out!

Tribal People Under Attack: For this article, we interviewed Ilana Nevins, spokesperson for Survival International, about the dire situation on the Peruvian-Brazilian border that threatens an uncontacted tribe. It’s not too late to take action by sending an email to the Brazilian and Peruvian governments!

International Museums Day: We spent a great deal of time interviewing Terry Quinlan, professor of conservation at Algonquin College, for this piece. The resulting article is an illuminating look at how government budget cuts are having a disastrous effect on our museums and national historic sites.

Injured workers: a painful identity: For this article, we interviewed Sharon-Dale Stone, an associate professor of sociology at Lakehead University. Stone investigated the stigma that is associated with injured workers – especially when the disability isn’t visible. This piece looks at some of the more troubling conclusions and offers advice for combating the stigma.

Are you a history buff?

history

If you love learning about the history of the labour movement, you’re in luck: over the last three years, we’ve written a few pieces about important moments in labour history. In fact, they’re among our most popular articles!

We’re making some improvements to our website to help you access more of the great content we’ve created. That’s why, from now on, we’ll be tagging these types of pieces under Labour History. You can access all the articles dealing with Labour History by clicking here. All categories are accessible using the categories menu on the right-hand side of the news page.

Here’s a snapshot of articles we’ve written so far:

Labour Day or Leisure Day: An in-depth look at Labour Day parades over the last century.

May Day: An article about the tumultuous events of May 1886, known as the Chicago Haymarket Affair

Murder in Buckingham: An article investigating how anti-union forces in the early 1900s led to the murder of two union leaders.

The Strike that Rocked Canada: A look at how the Toronto Typographical Union’s 1872 strike led to legal protections under the Trade Union Act.

Do you have a suggestion for a labour history article? Email us at communications@une-sen.org.

 

First meeting of the National Executive: Oct 6-10

nat_exec_tier2

The first meeting of the National Executive, this term, will be a bit different than usual. Since many of our union’s leaders are new in their position, we’re taking advantage of the opportunity to do some training – to make sure everyone is on the same page.

If your Local wishes to place an item on the meeting’s agenda, please contact your Regional Vice-President and provide him or her with clear and concise information about the item.

Who must attend?

All of the following must attend: national officers, regional vice-presidents, assistant regional vice-presidents and members of the human rights committee. If you cannot attend, please advise Ateau Zola as soon as possible.

When and where is the meeting?

The meeting will be held from October 6 to 10. In addition, members of the human rights committee will attend a full-day meeting on October 5. Meetings start at 9.am. and conclude at 5 p.m.

Since our boardroom can’t accommodate a meeting of this size, we’re holding this particular national executive meeting and training session in the Salon Royal of the Casino Lac Lemay.

Travel and accommodations

We will take care of reserving a room for everyone at the Hilton Lac Lemay, which is attached to the casino. Officers who reside in the National Capital Region will only have hotel rooms booked for them if they request it.

To make your travel arrangements, please contact WE Travel as soon as possible. If you wish, you can choose to stay overnight at the hotel and leave the following morning if you’re unable to arrive home before 10 p.m. on the day of travel.

When booking your travel, please ensure that you identify yourself as a UNE member. You can contact WE Travel in Ottawa at 1‑888‑676-7747 or WE Travel in Vancouver at 1‑800‑663‑4703 to book your flight.

Expenses

The Union of National Employees will pay for your hotel and flight directly. Members who are getting to the meeting using their own car will have their mileage reimbursed based on the shortest route using the UNE mileage rates. Whether you travel by car, train or bus, we will reimburse actual expenses, up to the most economical airfare that could have been obtained by WE Travel. This amount includes parking at the hotel and any additional per diem and loss of salary. In order to have their transportation costs reimbursed, members must keep all their receipts.

If you require a travel advance, please contact George St-Jean.

Questions?

Please direct all questions related to this meeting to Ateau Zola.

About the National Executive

The National Executive is responsible for the policies, programs and direction of the Union of National Employees. Between conventions, it makes important decisions and creates policies that help look after our union. The executive also carries out resolutions adopted by the members during the last convention. The National Executive meets three times per year to review the union’s activities and ensure that they reflect the will of the membership.

Going to convention? Bring a sweater!

sweaters

It may be August and we may be holding convention in beautiful British Columbia; but it can get a little chilly at night!

If you’re headed to convention, please remember to make space for a sweater or a light jacket in your suitcase. After a long day’s work on Tuesday, August 12, delegates will head to Fort Rod Hill for a beach party. That’s when that sweater or jacket will definitely come in handy.

Convention binders now online!

binders_online

That’s right! All the documents contained in your convention binder are now online. This includes all the committee reports, convention procedures and activity reports.

Plus, there’s also a helpful convention information section that is worth checking out before heading to convention!

How well do you know the UNE?

howwell

With over 60 different workplaces under its wing, the UNE is hands down the most diverse union within the PSAC.

We recently added an “About our members” section to our website; it highlights every workplace we represent across 14 different sectors.

Be sure to check it out; we’re sure you’ll find out something about our membership that you didn’t know before!