Pink Shirt Day

Wear a pink shirt on Wednesday, February 27 for the sixth annual Pink Shirt Day. By wearing a pink shirt, you’re saying that bullying won’t be tolerated.

Pink Shirt Day honours the actions of two brave boys from Nova Scotia who took a stand when they saw a Grade 9 boy being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The next day, David Shepherd and Travis Price got 50 of their fellow students to wear pink shirts.

Sexual minorities and those who are perceived as gender-nonconforming are often the targets of bullying. Almost half of Canadians students report hearing anti-gay epithets at school – almost 10% of LGBT students report hearing frequent homophobic comments from teachers.

74% of trans students, 55% of sexual minority students, and 26% of non-LGBTQ students reported having been verbally harassed about their gender expression.

More than one in five (21%) LGBTQ students reported being physically harassed or assaulted due to their sexual orientation.1

Many schools are actively trying to eliminate bullying, and rightly so. However homophobic bullying is often ignored. According to Gerald Walton, doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University, the education system reinforces the idea that “straightness” is “normal”.

Heterosexuality in schools is validated through pervasive discourse on teenage other-sex dating; straight sexual mechanics and pregnancy in sex education classes; straight territorialisation (such as high school dances and prom nights); and mass media images, textbook representations, and fictional stories exclusively about and featuring heterosexual relationships.2

Consider that in the US, gay and lesbian teachers are often fired simply because of their sexual orientation. In 2010, an Oregon teacher was fired for mentioning to a fourth-grader that he wasn’t married because he couldn’t legally marry a man. The school principal told the teacher that his comments regarding his marital status were “inappropriate”.3

Last year, a St. Louis music teacher was fired after marrying his long-time partner. The Catholic School said it couldn’t condone acts that were “contrary to the church”.4

And earlier this month, a Catholic school administrator was fired for supporting marriage equality – despite being a heterosexual man who is married to a woman.5

Katherine van Wormer of the Department of Social Work at the University of Northern Iowa contends that, instead of firing openly gay and lesbian teachers, schools should be hiring them to serve as positive role models.6

“Unfortunately, in the U.S. and Canada, school social work tends to be crisis-driven rather than prevention-driven (Loughborough, 2000). This needs to change. School bullying, which takes a tragic toll on gender-nonconforming youth, can and must be stopped through effective adult intervention.”7


[1] Egale Canada, National Climate Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia in Canadian Schools.[2] Walton, G., (2004) Bullying and Homophobia in Canadian Schools: The Politics of Policies, Programs and Educational Leadership. The Haworth Press.

[3] Mirk, S. (September 30, 2010) Beaverton Student Teacher Says He Was Fired for Mentioning in Class That He Would “Choose to Marry a Man”. The Portland Mercury.

[4] Browning, W. (March 1, 2012) Gay Teacher Fired for Getting Married. Yahoo! News.

[5] Newcomb, A. (February 12, 2013) Catholic School Worker Fired for Supporting Gay Marriage. Good Morning America.

[6] van Wormer, K. & McKinney, R. (2003) What Schools Can Do to Help Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Youth: A Harm Reduction Approach

[7] Idem

Manitoba & Saskatchewan Regional Seminar

“The theme of this seminar is: go with the flow,” joked Saskatchewan’s Regional Vice-President, Omar Murray, during the Manitoba-Saskatchewan regional seminar.

What do you do when all your seminar material is lost somewhere between Toronto and Regina? As the old union adage goes: “the seminar must go on.” Thanks to a lot of last minute printing (*cough* thanks a lot, Purolator! *cough*), the seminar was a great success.

“The event started off a little shaky,” admitted Manitoba’s Regional Vice-President, Martin Kaminski. “But with a positive outlook on things, we managed to roll with the punches.”

This is the second time that the Manitoba and Saskatchewan regions chose to host a joint regional seminar. “We figured the more people, the more fun,” explained Murray.

Kaminski says he particularly enjoyed the presentations by UNE staff. Among other things, participants were treated to workshops on local finances, communications and grievance handling.

There was also an eye-opening lecture by Idle No More co-founder, Sylvia McAdam and invigorating speeches by UNE National President Doug Marshall and PSAC’s Regional Executive Vice-President of the Prairies Region, Marianne Hladun.

“Sylvia’s presentation on Idle No More and Doug’s presentation on the evil Bill 377 were topical and right out of today’s headlines,” said Murray.

Finally, we were all very fortunate to receive a surprise visit from Holly Serle, Manitoba’s former regional vice-president. Sister Serle drove over 200 kilometers to surprise us – and we’re very glad she did!

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to touch base with some familiar faces and some new ones,” concluded Kaminski.

Remembering the victims of the Holocaust

I have learned that the Holocaust was a unique and uniquely Jewish event, albeit with universal implications. Not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims. I have learned the danger of indifference, the crime of indifference. For the opposite of love, I have learned, is not hate but indifference. Jews were killed by the enemy but betrayed by their so-called allies who found political reasons to justify their indifference or passivity.1

–       Elie Wiesel, a Romanian-born Jewish American and Holocaust survivor

It was on January 27, 1945 that the Soviet Army liberated the survivors at the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Soviets found a little more than 7000 prisoners; a dismally small number compared to the 1.1 million prisoners murdered at Auschwitz between 1940 and 1945.2

The greatest victims of the Holocaust were Jews, whom Hitler had targeted for genocide. Over 6 million Jewish men, woman and children lost their lives during the Holocaust. Many suffered and toiled in concentration camps that dotted the map from eastern France to modern-day Belarus.

After the war, over 40,000 Holocaust survivors immigrated to Canada.3 Many Jews settled in Montreal, where their French was a great asset. Even in Canada, the Jewish community had to combat discrimination. In 1946, they even had to bring a case against the City of Quebec for preventing them to erect a synagogue.4 By the late 1940s, human rights legislation removed common discriminatory practices.5

A number of other victims also lost their lives during the Holocaust. Among them were millions of Ukrainians and Russians, including many Russian prisoners of war. Millions of Poles and Yugoslavians were also killed. There were also tens of thousands of Gypsies, mentally and physically disabled persons, gay men and Spanish Republicans. Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses were also killed – and it’s unknown how many communists, political prisoners, resistance fighters and trade unionists lost their lives.6

Sadly, genocide is not yet part of our past. Many countries are still at risk of genocide and politicide, including Syria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.7

There are many signs that can signal an impending genocide. Perhaps the most troubling is a tendency to create out-groups, which are then stripped of their humanity.8 During the Holocaust, the Nazis regarded Jews as “parasitic vermin.”9 In Rwanda, the Tutsis were often compared to cockroaches.10

On this day, let’s pay honour to the victims of the Holocaust. Let’s also remember to never be a passive bystander; there are countless who paid the ultimate price for others’ indifference.


1. Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to Elie Wiesel and on Signing the Jewish Heritage Week Proclamation April 19, 1985

2. The Liberation of Auschwitz, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

3. The Canadian Encyclopedia, The Jew

4. The Canadian Jewish Chronicle – Sep 25, 1946

5. The Canadian Encyclopedia, The Jews

6. Overlooked Millions: Non-Jewish Victims of the Holocaust, Karen Silverstrim, University of Arkansas

7. Genocide Watch, 2012 Global Watch List

8. Genocide Watch

9. Victims of the Nazi era: Nazi racial ideology, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

10. Peace Pledge Union

The Hot Springs Belong to All Canadians

With the Conservatives in charge, our country is turning into a giant auction where even our best-kept treasures are being put up for sale. Yes, that’s right; even the Canadian Rockies aren’t safe. Earlier last year, Parks Canada announced its plans to privatize the operations of three of its most iconic attractions: the hot springs in Banff, Jasper and Radium.

Last week, our members met with the local community in Jasper to find out what they thought of commercializing the hot springs — a consultation the government failed to do. Under privatization, the union expects an increase in fees or a decrease in the standards of service. That’s what happens when you take a national treasure and reduce it to a giant money-making machine.

“We opened up the floor for people to comment and ask questions,” said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President of the PSAC’s Prairie Region. “It was an opportunity to see if what we were thinking was accurate.”

According to Hladun, the Jasperites’ opinions were absolutely in sync with our own. Many were concerned the hot springs would turn into a playground for the elite, with spa pricing making it harder for working-class Canadians to afford.

“Fifty years ago last August, we celebrated our honeymoon at the Miette hot springs [in Jasper],” said one resident. “The reason we celebrated there was because it was the most reasonable place we could find after going to university.”

“We stayed at the cabin with the tent tops… but unfortunately they had bunk beds,” she added to much laughter from the crowd at the meeting.

The woman also expressed her concern that the commercialization of the hot springs will prevent future generations from enjoying the hot springs as her family did.

Recently, her daughter got engaged while walking along the trails surrounding the Miette hot springs.

“We love the hot springs,” she said. “It’s turned out to be a wonderful place for us.”

Help us stop the privatization of our national treasures. It only takes a few seconds to send an email to your MP using the PSAC Prairies website.

NCR-TB Regional Seminar: a great success

Last weekend, members of the NCR-TB region got together for a historic regional seminar; this was the first union event in the history of the PSAC that included a visit from the clerk of the Privy Council.

Wolfgang Schulz, of Local 70183, said that Wayne Wouters’ participation on the panel was the seminar’s highlight.

“I really liked what he had to say and the way he talked about what he’s doing for the public service,” said Schulz.

The regional team had organized a panel discussion that included, David MacDonald, senior economist at the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives, Mathieu Ravignat, NDP MP (Pontiac), Wayne Wouters, Clerk of the Privy Council and Larry Rousseau, regional executive vice-president for the national capital region of the PSAC.

“I’m very happy with how it turned out. We wanted to do something different, and I believe we have,” said Regional Vice-President Richard Balance.  “We haven’t done the same old, same old and I believe that has engaged the membership.”

The two-day seminar also included a number of workshops and sessions. The subjects covered included our union’s structure, human rights, how to run an annual general meeting, local finances and many more.

We took a bunch of pictures during the seminar: go to Flickr to check them out!

Conference Newsletter

The Occupational Health and Safety Conference is off to a great start – and definitely keeping us very engaged (and busy!). If you couldn’t attend, you don’t have to miss out on the highlights. We’ve got you covered!

The Review is the UNE’s official conference newsletter. Best of all, this time, it’s been put together with the kind help of amazing members just like you!

October 19, 2012 | Issue #1
October 20, 2012 | Issue #2

Psst!! Don’t forget to fill out our online survey!

No more stolen sisters

Vigils were held across the nation, last Thursday, in memory of our stolen sisters. In more than 163 locations, Canadians gathered to remember the countless aboriginal women and girls who have been murdered or who are missing.

Girls like Maisy Odjick, 16, and Shannon Alexander, 17, who disappeared in 2008 from Maniwaki, Quebec. Young women like Terrie Ann Dauphinais, 24, who was murdered in her home outside Calgary in April 2002.

Those are just a few names; the Native Women’s Association of Canada has over 500 more confirmed cases. The numbers are astonishing and speak to the severe impact on aboriginal communities.

In Ottawa, victims’ families, activists and allies gathered on Parliament Hill to renew their demand for a national inquiry into this important issue.

Jennifer Lord of the Native Women’s Association of Canada says the vigils are about more than just shaming the government and demanding change; they’re about keeping the issue in our thoughts.

“We all have a role to play,” said Lord.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is asking its allies to widely circulate their petition calling on the government to hold a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

“I plead with our union sisters and brothers to make a renewed commitment to push for a national inquiry,” said Viola Thomas, the Union of National Employees’ National Equity Representative for Aboriginal People.

Thomas called for our union members to bring the issue back to their communities and to their Locals.

“Historically, it’s that collective energy between all Canadians that can make a difference,” she added.

“If all our Locals aren’t standing beside our indigenous sisters and fighting this issue, we will be coming back here for the next 20 years demanding a national inquiry.”

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is counting on our collective action to get Parliament to act. “The families have been asking for it and Aboriginal leaders have listened. And thankfully, MPs are listening too,” said Lord, who added that the Native Women’s Association fully supports Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett’s bill for national inquiry.


Click here to download the petition. Get your families, friends and colleagues to sign it. Be sure to return it to the Native Women’s Association of Canada as soon as possible. To see pictures of last Thursday’s vigil, click here.

Honouring Our Heroes

Yesterday, hundreds gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to honour police and peace officers across Canada. The Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Annual Memorial Service pays tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who are killed in the line of duty.

It’s also an opportunity to thank to those who work so hard to keep us safe.

Among these inspirational men and women are park wardens, who are responsible for law enforcement in our national parks. They also happen to be members of the Union of National Employees.

This year, nine wardens were chosen to represent their comrades in Ottawa.

“It’s really important to recognize the important work of our law enforcement community,” said National Executive Vice-President Eddie Kennedy. Continue reading “Honouring Our Heroes”

UNE Joins the National Day of Action

Last Saturday, union members across the country got together to have their message heard: we’re all affected by these cuts. Thousands of our members have had their jobs eliminated – with many more job cuts to come.

Doug Marshall, the national president of the Union of National Employees, attended the event in Ottawa, where he shared his thoughts on these massive cuts.

“The government says these are just back office jobs. Well first of all, the back office is very important. The people who have contact with Canadians, that’s where they get their support. We’re not only losing those support workers, but we are losing people who directly affect the lives of Canadians in a very immediate way,” said Marshall.

The UNE, Marshall said, is very concerned about the loss of a number of crucial jobs that could put members of the public at risk, including lifeguards at Tofino Beach in B.C., fire protection officers across the country, water inspectors who keep drinking water safe for First Nations people living on reserves – and those are just a few examples.

Events all across Canada

Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, PSAC members gathered at Memorial Park with PSAC President Robyn Benson. “The crowd was electrified by Robyn Benson’s speech,” said Chris Little-Gagné, the assistant vice-president of the UNE’s Manitoba region. “We had face-painting and juice for the kids – and the grownups wrote messages to Harper on a large banner.”

In an interview with Global Winnipeg, Benson touched on how these cuts are affecting morale in the public service.

“It is really disconcerting to be sitting at your desk day in and day out proudly serving Canadians and not knowing if tomorrow a [layoff] letter will show up on your desk,” said Benson.

A moment of solidarity

In Kitchener, Ontario, PSAC members rallied in Victoria Park. “In Kitchener, we have members from FedDev Ontario, Passport Canada and Parks Canada,” said Mary Anne Walker, assistant vice-president of the UNE’s Ontario region.

One affected member from Parks Canada gave an interview. Kathleen LeFaive told CTV Kitchener that she’s passionate about the work she does at Parks Canada.

“I didn’t work for money,” LeFaive told CTV. “I work in heritage because of the love history and the love of teaching.”

PSAC members in Kitchener were joined by public education teachers, who are standing up to the Ontario provincial government after the legislature passed a controversial anti-strike bill.


We have pictures of the rallies in Ottawa, Kitchener and Winnipeg. Got photos from your event? Send them to communications@une-sen.org.

The Quebec regional seminar: a great success

UNE members from Quebec met in Chicoutimi last weekend to take part in a regional seminar. Among the participants were employees of Parks Canada, Statistical Survey Operations, Passport Canada Measurement Canada, the Translation Bureau and others.

Public service layoffs were a hot topic during the weekend. Participants were able to hear about how the cuts were affecting our members and the services that Canadians receive. Those whose workplaces have not been affected by workforce adjustment are nonetheless experiencing difficulties. “If someone retires, goes on extended sick leave or maternity leave, our employer isn’t filling those positions,” said one employee of Passport Canada.

Our members also took part in employer caucuses to discuss how the union can protect our members affected by workforce adjustment. Nathalie Bouchard, a young worker from Parks Local 10269, thought the discussions at her employer caucus were great for hashing out a plan of action. “We’re all on the same page now,” said Bouchard.

Participants also learned a lot about human rights, pensions and the union structure, among many other topics.

“It was a great seminar,” said Quebec Regional Vice-President Jean Pierre Naud. “I think that the communication between members was exceptional.”

Naud says the seminar was a great opportunity for our members to learn, network and share what’s been going on in their workplace. He was also quite pleased with the large participation by new activists and young workers.

We got a few pictures of the seminar on our Flickr page. Go check them out! For more information about regional seminars – or to find out when your regional seminar will be held – consult the events section of our website.