Winter 2001
CAW Women's Conference
The CAW National Women's conference took place in Port Elgin from August 26th to 29th. The theme was "Building Tomorrow's Leadership" with workshops designed to develop skills to empower women to return to their workplace, communities and locals and get involved. Workshops offered were: Demystifying Collective Bargaining, Finding Our Voices, Your Campaign Starts Here, Women's Lives Beyond the Workplace, Bargaining Agenda for Women, Violence in the Workplace, Big Macs, Running Shoes & Solidarity, and Building a Respectful Work Environment.
There were 301 delegates including guests, facilitators and 75 children. Over half were first time delegates. The workshops were brought to life by the incredible Women Staff, CAW Council Women's Committee and Local Union Leadership. The first-hand experience of women leadership helped delegates develop concrete solutions, skills and strategies to tackle issues such as violence, globalization and bargaining.
The conference wrap up included a panel of four dynamic women in elected leadership positions in and outside of the union: Becky Barrett, Manitoba Minister of Labour and Immigration, Nancy Diamond, Mayor of Oshawa, Colette Hooson, President of CAW Local 240 and Elaine White of the CAW Women's Council Committee. They shared with delegates the personal challenges they faced and how they overcame them, along with their personal successes. They talked about how their voice has made a difference. Their experiences were invaluable as women returned to their communities making the link that when women are involved in leadership positions, it makes a fairer and more compassionate place for all of us to live.
"I am amazed constantly that my union takes me places I never expected to go! I have learned so much -feel inspired!!!! I want to go back and continue the work I started in my community, but often felt not an expert enough to do it. I now feel confident to get back at it. It's so amazing to get up and speak and to hear women - loud and strong - speaking around me these past three days. Thank you to all the sisters before us who made this possible. You Rock Sisters!! ", conference participant.
CAW Family Auxiliary Conference
The 2001 CAW Family Auxiliary was held in Port Elgin Oct 11th -14th 2001. 33 delegates from Auxiliaries 27 (Oshawa), 312 (Woodstock), 321 (Brantford) joined together to discuss, debate and challenge tough issues such as violence, poverty, the erosion of health care and education in today's world. Two workshops were offered, Women's Lives beyond the Workplace and Finding our Voices. Jackie Finn, President CAW Family Auxiliary #27 reports... "We can only remain a strong, articulate auxiliary if we have an informed and active membership from which to develop the dynamic leaders required to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We can only develop those leaders through education." We were also inspired by Alice Bonham, Auxiliary Local 27, as she celebrated her 92nd birthday. We grew strength from her courage, compassion and commitment to building a better world. Congratulation Alice!
CONGRATULATIONS TO....
The Manitoba Women's Network, CAW National Representative Cecile Cassista, CAW Activists and the Manitoba Child Care Coalition for gathering 24,062 responses to the Manitoba Government call for public feedback on a "A Vision for Child Care and Development in Manitoba". In less than three months, tremendous community support was expressed for the government to develop a universal, accessible, not for profit, quality child care system. As the government plans to release a multi year child care strategy paper in April 2002, Manitoba activists continue the pressure demanding the government respond to the needs of Manitoba's children and families.
Debbie Cadman, National Representative and the Bargaining Committee at St. Joseph's Health Care for negotiating progressive pregnancy-parental leave language. This is a breakthrough with the employer paying 84% of wages during the 2-week waiting period, 15 weeks pregnancy leave and 35 weeks of parental leave. A great benchmark for other collective agreements!!!
....A wonderful story from Karen Willsey, President of CAW Local 2163 and her work with Holmes Foundry surviving widows... "After speaking with WSIB, I received confirmation on two outstanding claims to widows of Holmes Foundry workers. I called and told the women their husband's claims were just approved. They were overjoyed and so grateful to our union. I asked them to make sure they were seated and gave them the news that one claim totaled $150,000 and the other over $300,000 with a monthly entitlement for the rest of their life. One of the women replied: "I was just looking for a toonie to take the bus to renew my medication" ....she paused and said "I think I just might borrow from the bill jar and take a cab."
Charie Virga Local 444 and CAW Council Women's Committee member is the recipient of the 2001 Break the Silence Award for Essex Kent Women's Network. Charie is chairperson of Local 444 Casino Unit and has been a long time advocate for women in the her workplace and the Windsor community.
December 6th, National Day
of Commemoration to End
Violence Against Women
On December 6th 1989 in Montreal , when a young man shot 14 women by separating them from the men, he exposed the shadow of violence that hangs over every woman's life. One out of eight women in Canada is battered by a male partner. Every year, more than a hundred women are killed.
December 6th is now recognized as the National Day of Commemoration to End Violence against Women. Although this has helped raise awareness of violence, the killings of women by enraged partners or ex partners continue.
In July of 2000, the National Executive Board statement recommitted the CAW to continue to lead by bringing greater attention to the ongoing issue of violence against women and to broaden the debate from a policing issue to a community and social justice issue.
Our union is committed to push with renewed energy to convince governments and the public that violence against women is a serious problem. To challenge them to create the economic and social conditions that make it possible for women to escape violent men and to live in safety and security, CAW Council passed a recommendation on November 30, 2001 that we recommit ourselves and our local unions to work to end violence against women in the homes, in our workplaces and in our communities.
Congratulations to Hemi Mitic, Assistant to the President and the Bargaining Committee of Integram, Local 444 for negotiating a strong first agreement which includes Women's Advocate, December 6th Minute of Silence , Violence Against Women and Harassment language.
Dedication of Monument on
Violence Against Women
and Lighting of Eternal Flame
 |
 |
Marni Cheyne, Artist
CAW Paid Education Leave students joined with President Buzz Hargrove at the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario on December 6th in a ceremony in remembrance of the 14 young women killed in 1989 in Montreal. Our union commissioned a bronze sculpture along with an eternal flame to serve as a reminder to all who visit the Centre of this horrific event and will perpetuate our union's ongoing commitment to end the violence in our homes, in our communities and in our workplaces.
The resolution submitted by the 1998 Women Activists class called for an eternal flame to be installed at the Centre and to be extinguished when violence against women has been eradicated.
Brother Hargrove stated... "December 6th now becomes a focus point for everyone to think about their commitment and what more they could be doing to ensure that anything like this never happens again..."
The plaque has the following inscription:
TO OUR DAUGHTERS:
We pledge we will work to transform
our world so that neither your dreams, nor
your lives, are cut short by violence.
On behalf of all CAW members,
we dedicate this Eternal Flame in the spirit of
our daughters in the belief that we can create
a more just and humane world.
DECEMBER 6, 1989, MONTREAL, IN MEMORY OF
| Geneviève Bergeron | Maryse Laganière |
| Hélène Colgan | Maryse Leclair |
| Nathalie Croteau | Anne-Marie Lemay |
| Barbara Daigneault | Sonia Pelletier |
| Anne-Marie Edward | Michèle Richard |
| Maud Haviernick | Anne St-Arneault |
| Barbara Maria Klucznik | Annie Turcotte |
Take Back the Night
marches were held around the world the third week of September to protest violence against women. The inception of the March dates back to 1978 when women organized events around the world in a symbolic gesture to demand their right to safety at night.
Our CAW Networks and Women Committees were at the forefront of events across the country. Sister Linda Smith, Chairperson of the London and Area Women Network and organizer for the Oxford County Take Back the Night Walk said "the TBTN is empowering women because we take refuge in ourselves and in our own strength. It is a celebration of overcoming vulnerability and victimhood. It is about women's ability to walk the streets unaccompanied by men. Women generally have this ability in daylight but after dark are often 'punished' for doing so. By marching women cannot only raise awareness of the problem of violence against women but they can form a united voice and give each other a feeling that simply they are not alone and they want the culture of fear and violence to end. We can't afford silence. That only perpetuates the myth that nothing's wrong."
Bonnie Henderson CAW member and activist and Stratford's Woman of the Year was inspirational as she told the crowd the importance of speaking up on violence. "Violence is not the answer and I know we all live busy lives but I personally think that what has happened in the States on September 11 has got people thinking and starting to ask questions. Where are we headed as a society? We live in a great country and we see the horrors of last September on a group of innocent people... You may question why should I get involved? The answer for me became clearer when I lost two wonderful friends at an early age. We only get one chance at this life and we need to make the most of our time now not tomorrow when it could be too late. I truly believe within myself that, each little thing that we do makes a big difference. So call a group tomorrow and get involved you'll feel great and the rewards are terrific.
A Woman Place
People say, "That's just the way the world
has always been."
That laws won't stop the violence and pain,
But wars are won when one by one
the righteous make a claim
And that is why my friends and I proclaim!
A woman's place is
anywhere she wants to be
A woman's love should never
cause her pain
A woman's rights include
the right to walk away
A woman needs to feel
both loved and safe."
Georgina Rae, singer and songwriter
Doris Anderson Celebration
CAW Women were among the some 1,000 guests who came out to celebrate Doris Anderson's achievements and her 80th birthday at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, in Toronto, on November 9th 2001.
Recognized as a "true Canadian hero" Doris has had a profound impact on the lives of Canadian women for decades. As editor of Chatelaine magazine from the late 1950's until 1977, Doris turned the publication to one that raised the political consciousness of generations of women. After Chatelaine, she continued to spearhead many initiatives that resulted in great gains for women including amendments to the Canadian Constitution that enshrined women's rights.
A handsome endowment at York University, of which CAW is among the sponsors, will enable an annual $15,000 graduate scholarship in Doris' name to a student at the School of Women's Studies. The celebration was in the presence of Her Excellency, The Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson, and His Excellency, John Ralston Saul as well as our own Roxie Baker, the first woman to be elected to the CAW National Executive Board.
Health & Safety Survey
CAW Health and Safety Training Fund has developed a Women's Leadership Survey which was launched at the CAW Women's Conference in Port Elgin this summer. The survey is divided into four sections: workplace stressors, exposure to chemical and biological hazard, ergonomics and physical hazards and legislation and collective agreements.
The response by over 100 delegates will help the Health and Safety Department identify needs with respect to health and safety and the environment in CAW workplaces.
Additional surveys or information may be obtained through CAW Windsor Regional Office, 2345 Central Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N8W 4J1,
email moisenko@caw.ca.
Newsletter Feedback
We need help putting together this newsletter. If you would like to contribute ideas for future editions of Sisterline, please send in your suggestions, articles, photographs, poetry, cartoons, questions, news bites, reports on events and happenings, etc. to:
SISTERLINE
c/o Julie White
Director
Women's Programs
CAW-Canada
205 Placer Court
Toronto, ON M2H 3H9
