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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women - December 6, 2013

Unions are uniquely placed to make a real difference to the lives of workers who may be experiencing violence in the home.  And that makes work safer, for everyone. This December 6, union women are remembering and taking action.

Ottawa (05 Dec. 2013) – December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.  On December 6, 1989 a gunman entered l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and segregated the female engineering students from the male students and began firing on the young women.  On that day,14 young women lost their lives because they were women.

Canadian Labour Congress launches national survey on the impact of domestic violence on women and workplaces

December 6 is also a day to commit to take concrete action in order to end violence against women and girls.  This year in honour of Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in partnership with the University of Western Ontario’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children (CREVAWC) is launching a nation-wide survey on the impact of domestic violence on workers and workplaces. This survey is the first of its kind in Canada.

This national survey will gather data about the prevalence and the impact of domestic violence in the workplace.  It will provide made-in-Canada research that will help unions, employers, advocates and governments develop good public policy and provide data for unions to use at the bargaining table.

Learning from work in Australia which resulted in major legislative changes; NUPGE encourages members to participate in survey

A similar survey conducted in Australia through a partnership between the University of New South Wales and organized labour, produced laws giving over one million Australian workers domestic and family violence workplace benefits, including dedicated paid leave, protection from adverse action and flexible work arrangements. 

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is encouraging all workers to complete the survey. The survey is online and available in English and French until June 6, 2014. Any worker over the age of 15 is encouraged to complete the survey, whether or not they have personally experienced or witnessed domestic violence. It is completely anonymous and takes between 10 and 30 minutes to complete. 

The CLC and NUPGE believe that this research will not only help unions negotiate better workplace support for any worker experiencing violence, but will also result in better legislation and policies for all workers.  Unions are uniquely placed to make a real difference to the lives of workers who may be experiencing violence in the home.  And that makes work safer, for everyone.

December 6 marks the anniversary of Montreal Massacre but also provides a special day of remembrance for all women and girls affected by violence

On December 6, as we pause to remember the young women murdered in Montreal we must also commit to taking action to end violence against women in Canada.  Gender-based violence affects women in Canada in very different ways and that young women, women with disabilities, racialized women and Aboriginal women are more likely to experience violence. 

For this reason, the National Union joins the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliates, provincial and territorial federations of labour and labour councils to call for a National Action Plan on Violence against Women – a proactive, comprehensive approach to a systemic problem. 

The National Union and its Advisory Committee on Women's Issues continues to support the Native Women's Association of Canada's in demanding a national public inquiry on missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.  A national inquiry would be a crucial step in implementing a comprehensive and coordinated national action plan that involves Aboriginal women in the design, decision making, process and implementation.

More information:

Participate in CLC Survey

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