"On behalf of NUPGE members across the country, I add my voice to those condemning the arbitrary detention of Cihan Erdal and demanding his immediate release. I implore you to take urgent action to secure Erdal's immediate release and safe return to Canada." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Equality and Human Rights
"We have been pushing for the government to accept that there is no turning back to the ways things were. This Build Back Better Throne Speech is a signal that they've heard that message. We'll be spending our time before the federal budget to pressure the Liberals to stand by their words and put its money where its mouth is." – Larry Brown, NUPGE President
As economist Armine Yalnizyan has said, “No recovery without she-covery. No she-covery without child care.”
Recovery from COVID-19 calls for a rethinking of the ways in which our communities and our economy are organized. Prime Minister Trudeau: Full Immigration Status for All is just, fair, necessary and urgent. The time is now.
“Provinces must play their part in inflating the economy, not contribute to the further deflating of our economy." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
“I commend the Canadian government for taking leadership on this issue. We all have a responsibility to take action to stop the Rohingya genocide, and Canada is uniquely positioned to intervene and to support grassroots struggles.” ― Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Individuals from around the world can add their voices to condemning the violence and supporting the Belarusian workers exercising their rights by sending a message to Belarusian government officials via the LabourStart campaign.
Alvarez was an educator and a rights defender. She was a member of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines (ACT) and a prominent activist with the Negros Island Health Integrated Program and Karapatan, a human rights coalition.
"I commend the tireless efforts and dedication of the organizations, advocates, and legal teams who led this fight. Although the work is far from finished, may this win invigorate our struggles for refugee rights and justice.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
The NUPGE paper released today identifies some of the key considerations that workers and their unions should be thinking about when it comes to WFH — as both a temporary and possibly-permanent arrangement.
"This technology, which is unregulated in Canada, threatens people's fundamental rights and freedoms." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
“I urge you to once and for all eliminate the problematic security certificate process. It has no place in our democratic country that purports to be committed to human rights.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
“This National Indigenous Peoples Day, in the midst of protests by social movements around the world, we must work even harder with our allies to ensure our Indigenous sisters and brothers enjoy the equity and social justice we continue to strive for.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
If work-from-home (WFH) arrangements become more prevalent in the post-COVID world, they must be a tool to improve equity, not a hindrance.
"The act ... is a draconian measure which limits and reduces a union's bargaining power...and inhibits the union's ability to trade off monetary benefits for non-monetary enhancements, such as protection from contracting out, job security, and layoffs. It has left no room for a meaningful collective bargaining process on issues crucial to union memberships." — Justice McKelvey, Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench
“We must all stand up against hate, discrimination and injustice — during Pride Month and every day. To our LGBTQI2S members, friends, allies, and community members: we celebrate you and we stand with you.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
“The issue of child care is this generation’s medicare story, and we’ve got to get it done.” — Armine Yalnizyan
“It’s wonderful to see celebrations taking place virtually,” said Larry Brown, NUPGE President. “We need events like IDAHOTB to bring a little joy to our lives in these difficult times. It's a great way to bring communities together.”
“If stronger measures aren’t taken now, we’re likely to see a crisis in our shelter system like the one we saw in long-term care.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President