Cousins and Comrades,
Roland is away this week to attend the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) convention, along with three other local delegates and 70+ CUPW delegates. The CLC is the central labour body in Canada, representing most of the labour unions across the country.
This week’s dispatch includes: some exciting news from our 730 Communications Committee regarding their amazing work in 2020; our very own Rashpal Sehmby’s race for city council; a statement from our national executive for National Indigenous Peoples Day - here in our local we encourage you to wear orange on June 21 as a show of solidarity for all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
And finally, a reminder to join Professor Noam Chomsky, hosted by our allies at AUPE, to discuss his 2015 film Requiem for the American Dream.
In Solidarity,
CUPW 730's inaugural Communications Committee has been working hard throughout the pandemic to keep our members regularly informed with our revitalized newsletter, website, and social media channels. We're honoured to have our efforts awarded in five major categories by the Canadian Association of Labour and Media in their annual event!
Full Details: Link
As you may now know, our local's Health & Safety Officer, Brother Rashpal Sehmby, is running for Edmonton City Council in his ward, Sspomitapi (Ward 12).
Get to know his vision and goals for being you next labour-supportive representative in city hall, and discuss issues you would like him to represent and resolve.
Join in and support Brother Sehmby on July 24 at 6:30pm via Zoom.
Event Details and Registration: Link
Rashpal Sehmby: Responsive | Reliable | Ready to Lead.
Excerpt from Dave Bleakney's, CUPW 2nd National VP, recent statement:
"Every year we encourage all members to honour this day with deference and solidarity. This year, given the recent discovery of a mass grave of 215 Indigenous children found at a former Kamloops residential school, we must also honour our revived outrage at the ongoing violence of colonialism.
We Will No Longer be Silenced
The attached artwork for June 21 was created by Tristan Jenni, an Indigenous artist working out of Edmonton. She works to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. To learn more about her work, go to tristenjenniart.com/."
Read full statement here: Link
Educate yourself with this free online class via the Faculty of Native Studies: Link
Calls to action: Link
AUPE, one of our closest labour allies, is restarting its Labour in Motion Movie Club! Join us and Professor Noam Chomsky to discuss his 2015 film Requiem for the American Dream as well as the past few years of populism, pandemics and people’s power, and what you can do in the fight for a more free, equal and just society.
Named as the most quoted living author, Noam Chomsky is a Laureate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Arizona and an outspoken critic of the U.S. government, propaganda in the mass media, and capitalism.
Watch the movie: Link
Join the event June 23, 630pm: Link
To stay aligned with the newest health guidelines, our office remains locked and available by appointment only. We are trying to conduct all meetings with members over the phone or via video conferencing. Exemptions can be made for unique circumstances. In either case, please call (780) 423-9000 to arrange an appointment with the appropriate officer. We are extremely busy in the office trying to put out a thousand different fires, so please leave a message if you’re unable to catch us on the phone.