This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information. 


World Day for Decent Work: Prosperity for all rather than wealth for a few

"Identifying the root causes that create instability in our jobs and in our economy — the lack of tax fairness, an absence of an industrial strategy, the attack on labour rights and privatization of public services — has been key to promoting a better way to achieve overall fairness for workers and the public," says James Clancy, NUPGE National President. 

logo for Oct. 7 World Day for Decent WorkOttawa (07 Oct. 2014) —  "The world is on an unsustainable path. Vast numbers of working people face insecurity in their jobs and the highest levels of inequality in living memory," says Sharon Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). "One half of working families have experienced unemployment or reduced working hours in the past two years, while 1.2 billion people still live in extreme poverty." 

This is why global trade unions will once again come together on October 7 to mark World Day for Decent Work to highlight the need for decent jobs and full respect for workers' rights. "The world’s trade unions are the most potent force to defend democracy and fight for justice and a sustainable future." said Burrow. 

World Day for Decent Work was established by ITUC in 2008 is an international day of action for trade unions and workers around the world have to promote the collective fight for labour rights. 

Fairness Express tour has been promoting decent jobs and respect for workers' rights across the country

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), through its All Together Now! campaign, has been organizing and mobilizing around the issue of decent work for several years. 

"Identifying the root causes that create instability in our jobs and in our economy — the lack of tax fairness, an absense of an industrial strategy, the attack on labour rights and privatization of public services — has been key to promoting a better way to achieve overall fairness for workers and the public," says James Clancy, NUPGE National President.

Most recently, NUPGE's Fairness Express has been touring the country, talking to members and the broader public about good jobs, tax fairness, labour rights and the value of public services.

"From the Atlantic provinces, through Ontario and Manitoba, into Alberta and B.C., our conversations show that people understand the global economic model isn't serving them well. It is not creating decent jobs, and it's hurting the planet. It is stiffling democracy and silencing the voices of workers," Clancy continues. "As a result, people are eager to find a way to set our country, and the world, back on a path that puts people and nature first. They know that by working together we can find a way to promote fairness for all rather than wealth for just a few."

"By committing to eliminating growing income inequality, a strong movement is building. With our global partners, we can hold politicians and business accountable to deliver prosperity for us all," Clancy said. 

More information

ITUC World Day for Decent Work

All Together Now! campaign

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