From the Canadian Heritage website Historic Black Canadian Communities Since 1996, the Government of Canada’s annual Black History Month campaign encourages people of all backgrounds to learn more about Black history in Canada. This brief […]
Fair Taxes, Fair Prices for Canadian Workers
The COVID pandemic has clearly illustrated how broken Canada’s mental health care system is. After two years of social and economic disruption, people of all ages are struggling with depression, stress and anxiety at unimaginable levels. Each of us are trying our best to cope with loneliness, loss and grief.
The twin failures of rising inequality and galloping inflation are reducing real incomes and living standards for wage earners and working people in Canada and around the world. Corporate profits in North America are reaching levels never seen before in recorded history, and working families and consumers are literally paying the price. Yet to fight inflation, governments are choosing to raise interest rates, which will only slow down economic growth, increase levels of unemployment, personal and public debt, and make income and wealth inequality even worse than it already is.
To fight both inflation and economic inequality, the best policy choice is creating a system of progressive taxation, where the very wealthy and powerful pay their fair share. This includes eliminating tax havens for Canada’s financial and corporate elite, which cost the government tens of billions of dollars each year, instituting a wealth tax on multi-millionaires and billionaires, creating windfall taxes on excess corporate profits, and returning corporate taxes and income taxes on the top 5% of income earners to where they were in the early 2000s.
Also, the federal government should end price gouging and corporate profiteering by big monopolies in the gas, banking, energy, resource and other sectors, and ensure that profit levels remain at traditional levels so that working people can better afford the basics like gas, rent and food.
Send a strong message to the government now
Written by Cheryl Buckley of PPWC Local 1 Sleeping Car Porters had long been a job that only black men were hired for. Their duties included making up sleeping berths, shining shoes, serving meals, cleaning, […]
The Confederation of Canadian Unions is acknowledging the contribution of Black Canadians to our society during Black History Month. Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the […]
Congratulations to the following winners of the CCU-CSC Madeleine Parent Bursary (MP) and John St. Amand Bursary (JSA). Click on their names below to read their winning essays, “What Unionism Means to Me.” West Region: […]
The Confederation of Canadian Unions remembers the life and work of Alexa McDonough, a longtime fighter for workers’ rights, social justice, and gender equality, and former leader of the Nova Scotia and federal New Democratic […]
The Confederation of Canadian Unions wants to wish its members and workers throughout Canada and the world a Happy New Year in 2022. It’s been difficult, but it’s going to get better from here. Labour […]
On behalf of the Confederation of Canadians Unions / Confederation des syndicats canadiens, we hope your holiday season is full of peace, joy and happiness. Wishing everyone a bright 2022! Be safe and well. Kelly, […]
Michael Belanger is a long time member of the York University Staff Association (YUSA) and the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), the largest affiliation of independent unions in the country. A scientist by trade, Michael […]
Download Issue (PDF) In this issue: CUSW Convention 2021 Unit Updates Did You Know? CUSW Head Office 2021 Graduates
Calendar of Events
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Day for Older Persons International Day for Older Persons Oct 1 all-day  The International Day of Older People is observed on October 1 each year. On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older People as... | ||||||
| International Lesbian Day International Lesbian Day Oct 8 all-day  International Lesbian Day, held on October 8, is a day for lesbians the world over to come together to celebrate lesbian history, diversity and culture. Recognised annually, the day gives an opportunity for women, families... | ||||||
| CCU Labour School and EB Meeting in Vancouver CCU Labour School and EB Meeting in Vancouver Oct 15 – Oct 16 all-day  The next CCU/CSC Labour School and Executive Board (EB) meeting is being held in Vancouver, BC on October 15 and 16, 2022 at the Chateau Granville Hotel & Suites. Labour School Featuring Katrina Miller Katrina... | ||||||
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Documentary - 47 minutes
The 47-minute documentary, called The Voice for Independent Unions in Canada, illustrates the CCU's dedication to the establishment of a democratic, independent labour movement, its newfound working relationship with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and its commitment to growth and renewal.
The documentary also focuses on the struggles of labour activists inside the CCU, its proud history, its work with social justice activists in Canada and around the globe, and the new economic challenges of wage stagnation and growing inequality.
The documentary will be submitted to over 50 film and documentary festivals in Canada and around the world in 2014 and 2015, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Hot Docs Festival.
Be sure to watch the documentary in full screen and High Definition. Click on the little wheel in the bottom right corner of the video to the left of the YouTube icon, and then press 1080p HD. For full screen, simply press the little square to the right of the YouTube icon.
Director and Editor: Sean Cain
Executive Producer: Joanie Cameron Pritchett