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"We work on behalf of our members to promote and protect their rights in the workplace but our social justice work ensures that all people can achieve full equality, union and non-union, here in Canada and around the world." - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ottawa (20 Feb. 2014) - In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed February 20 as World Day of Social Justice to promote the efforts of the international community to eliminate poverty, achieve full employment and decent work, gender equality and access to social well being and justice.
February 20 marks the UN World Day for Social Justice
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has a long history of promoting social justice and economic equality for all.
"If we allow inequities to flourish without action, we will never achieve full equality," said James Clancy, NUPGE President. "We work on behalf of our members to promote and protect their rights in the workplace but our social justice work ensures everyone enjoys equality - union and non-union - here in Canada and around the world."
Unions play a strong role to ensure fairness for all
"The gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide and growing. ... We must do more to empower individuals through decent work, support people through social protection, and ensure the voices of the poor and marginalised are heard," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"Our All Together Now! campaign, focusing on promoting public services, good jobs, tax fairness and labour rights, is a prime example of the commitment NUPGE members have to social and economic justice," said Clancy.
"And by definition, labour unions, which fight for decent jobs and wages, adequate health care, pay equity, pensions and other social benefits have created standards that apply to everyone. It is this kind of social justice that inspires us to work to remove any barrier that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability."
"The UN World Day for Social Justice is a reminder that our work is not over. Together, we will continue to work to remove barriers that prevent people from achieving full economic and social equality, today, and every day."
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