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Equality and Human Rights networking at NUPGE 2010 Convention

Networking reception gave activists from across the country the opportunity to network on important equality and human rights issues

Vancouver (22 June 2010) – Some 70 equality and human rights activists from components of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) attended a networking reception in Vancouver on June 17 prior to the NUPGE’s 2010 Convention which started the next day.

The reception, co-hosted by NUPGE and the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) Equity and Human Rights (E+HR) Committee, gave activists from across the country the opportunity to network and talk about the important equality and human rights work in their home component union. They also discussed concerns about the erosion of equality and human rights as a result of the recent economic recession.

Lorene Oikawa, BCGEU/NUPGE vice-president and chair of the E+HR Committee noted “We sometimes get caught up in doing the good human rights work and neglect to share the information with others.” She pointed out that NUPGE produces an excellent resource, the Equality and Human Rights E-bulletin, which includes news, research and trends on human rights issues from across Canada and around the world. “NUPGE Components, including BCGEU, should regularly contribute articles to the E-bulletin so we can be apprised of what’s happening across our country and discover ways in which we can work together on important issues."

 (l to r): Lori Joaquin, Vice Chairperson; Myra Reyes; Derek Fudge; Lorene Oikawa, Vice President & Chairperson; Bhajan Tathgar; Sue Powell; and in front, Roger Street. Not in picture: Russell Katzer; Gale Engstrom; Pam Desjardine; Nancy Naylor; Binny Sivia

Prior to the networking session, members of the BCGEU/NUPGE E+HR Committee met with Derek Fudge, NUPGE’s National Director of Policy Development to share news of the latest human rights work taking place in BC.  BCGEU/NUPGE is doing a lot of outreach work including working with activists across BC and supporting activities such as film nights for May’s Asian Heritage Month, June 21 Aboriginal Solidarity events, and pride celebrations across BC.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 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