Friends and comrades,
In this week’s Dispatch, we’re covering the December GMM, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the We Together Strong Community Christmas fundraiser, and the December 20th rally.
Solidarity,
Kyle Turner, Communications Officer
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December GMM
Our next GMM is Saturday, December 6th at 10 am. This is a hybrid meeting, so you can attend online via Zoom or in person (18121 107 Ave NW). The deadline to register to attend online is Friday, December 5th at noon. For more information and to register to attend online, click HERE.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, is a day in Canada to commemorate the anniversary of the December 6th, 1989, massacre at École Polytechnique. On that day, 14 women were killed and another 14 were injured as an armed student claimed he was “fighting feminism.”
This is a day to mourn and commit to fight the hatred and misogyny that led to this event, while recognizing that women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals around the world continue to face violence and discrimination. It is also a day to remember those who have experienced gender-based violence as well as those we have lost to it.
The victims of the 1989 massacre were Geneviève Bergeron, 21; Hélène Colgan, 23; Nathalie Croteau, 23; Barbara Daigneault, 22; Anne-Marie Edward, 21; Maud Haviernick, 29; Barbara Klucznik, 31; Maryse Laganière, 25; Maryse Leclair, 23; Anne-Marie Lemay, 22; Sonia Pelletier, 23; Michèle Richard, 21; Anne St-Arneault, 23; and Annie Turcotte, 21.
On December 6th, there are a number of things you can do to honour the memory of those who died. Wear a white ribbon. Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am. Attend a vigil in your community. Learn more about the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, which you can do here.
We Together Strong Community – No Family Should Go Hungry at Christmas
We Together Strong Community is working toward doing its 6th annual Christmas food hamper distribution. This year, it will be hosted on Saturday, December 20th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (9010 85 st). The goal is to support 151 families this year with food hampers, a cake for every family, and toys for children.
We Together Strong Community currently has a fundraiser in order to help achieve these goals. If you are interested in making a donation or if you’d like more information, click HERE.
December 20th Rally
Our Local Organizing Committee along with allies have been planning a rally for December 20th. The rally will be starting at noon Helen Nolan Park (12327 108 Ave NW) before marching to Liberal MP Eleanor Olszewski’s Office. For more information and the latest updates, click HERE.
Reminders
- Negotiations Update: What is an Agreement in Principle? (LINK)
- VP4 RSMCs: If you are an RSMC/OCRE/PRE and you have concerns in your depot, please contact VP4 Christina Phillips at rsmc730@gmail.com.
- Staying Connected: Sign up for the text service or email list HERE.
- Special Assessment: The Local’s Special Assessment is suspended for the fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026), but will return in July 2026. So you should see a decrease in dues payments by slightly less than $15/month.
- Disability Supports: To access the Disability Supports portal, which provides a list of programs and services in your community, click HERE.
- Union Savings: To take part in these savings, you can register at unionsavings.ca/.
- Buy Union: Looking for a list of union-made goods and services? Click HERE.