February is Black History month which was first celebrated in the early 1950s. It was later recognized nation-wide in 1995. It is a time to reflect on the many important sacrifices and contributions that the black community has made to Canadian progress. There is no better time to recognize and celebrate the positive impact the community has had on the labour movement. We must remember the significance of the work of black Canadians like Herman Stewart, the first Person of Colour to be elected to the Ontario Federation of Labour; Bromley Armstrong, who received the Order of Canada for his fight against discrimination; and Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s first black Member of Parliament and former labour minister, who passed away in October 2012.
Viola Davis Desmond is particularly notable, fighting against both racial and gender discrimination to become known as Canada’s own Rosa Parks. In 1945, Viola was arrested in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia after she refused to sit in a theatre balcony designated exclusively for blacks. Instead, she took her seat on the ground floor which was restricted to whites. She was charged and convicted of tax evasion for failing to pay the one-cent difference on the tax of either ticket. All efforts to overturn the conviction failed, and the courts refused to admit that race was at the root of the issue. In 2010, Viola was granted the first posthumous pardon in Canada and issued an apology by the provincial government. The pardon was the work of then Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Mayann Francis, the first black woman to hold the position.
However, as Steelworkers we must continue in our commitment to fight discrimination and support equity by ensuring that we are all free to accomplish our goals and be recognized for our value, regardless of who we are and where we come from. By acknowledging the contributions of a hard working but historically marginalised community, we stand in solidarity.
Please join us in recognizing Black History Month and making a genuine commitment to also celebrate the diversity within our own union.
Yours in solidarity,
Tomorrow is Election Day in British Columbia and there’s too much at stake for Steelworkers to sit this one out. Across our province, working families are facing real challenges. Forestry communities are fighting to protect jobs and keep mills running. Mining workers need stronger safety protections and training. Canadian jobs are threatened by outsourcing, and […]
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 7619 has issued 72-hour strike notice to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) operation near Logan Lake, B.C., following unsuccessful negotiations to reach a fair collective agreement. The notice was served Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., with the union preparing for potential strike action if an agreement […]
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