updated June 7th
Solidarity Works is a three-week hands-on training program sponsored by the BC Fed designed to equip young people with labour education, practical experience and activist skills to demand their working rights.
In the first week of the program, young workers gather in a retreat-like educational setting to discuss topics and learn skills dealing with rights in the workplace, social justice history in Canada, anti-oppressive organizing for unions and in the community, and economics and the impact of corporate globalization.
Following that, to put the education into action, participants spend about two weeks in placements with unions and social justice organizations in the community, working on various projects. During the placements, young workers have: coordinated festivals, organized workshops for youth, helped out on organizing drives in workplaces, planned direct action outside establishments with poor working conditions, supported local and national women’s groups, set up youth committees in their unions, produced radio shows and short films, researched and produced action kits, and lobbied for increased workers’ rights and wages at arbitration and minimum wage board hearings.
Amy Painter, PSAC/UTE member:
In May 2006 I had the opportunity to participate in the Solidarity Works! Program with the BC Federation of Labour. I spent a week participating in training around anti-oppression work, Occupational Health and Safety, organizing, labour history and much more before spending 2 weeks working at the PSAC-BC regional office. While it was strange to leave the other 11 participants after spending so much time with them over the week (12 hour days will bond friendships much quicker than usual!), I was excited to learn more about the PSAC and my role in it.
The majority the other participants in the program were young people active in their communities rather than active in a union and they went to their placements to learn the basics of how unions run. Since I have been in the Public Service for 4 years now, I was looking forward to building on my personal experiences and gaining a more detailed understanding of the union structure.
While in the PSAC-BC office I worked closely with Mike Pleasure, a Solidarity Works Participant, and Jamey Mills, the Youth Coordinator on the Regional Council. As Jamey’s alternate, it was wonderful to get to know him better. By working together, we were able to take steps to rejuvenate the Youth Caucus and brainstormed future youth initiatives.
The time flew by in the PSAC office. We spent several days canvassing members involved in the union as to their impressions of the barriers facing young members. We spoke to young members to ask them what they would like to see in the Youth Caucus and what their biggest problems have been. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how the difficulties young members face are rather universal across the union.
We also spent time with several members of the union staff, learning more about the work they do, and went on multiple worksite visits. The worksite visits were especially interesting as we had the opportunity to speak to 5 different groups of young workers at the airport, the majority of whom were students, and the opportunity to learn more about the grievance process while visiting the border. We also spent some time at the UFCW local 1518 information line and were greatly impressed with their solidarity after 20 weeks on strike. We returned the next day with a guitar in tow and sang labour songs with the group. It was lovely to experience the picket line, or in this case, the information line, when it wasn’t raining (unlike my own strike experience)!
Working with Monica and Regina at the PSAC-BC office was a great introduction to the union, and I look forward to future work with the union!
Mike Pleasure, Solidarity Works Student:
On May 15, 2006, 12 youth, myself included, gathered to begin the second Solidarity Works programme. The week was filled with sessions on youth rights, organizing, health and safety and communication. Coming from a background with no involvement with the labor movement, it was a daunting experience. I found myself suddenly awakened to the concerns and plights of people just like myself who have had no idea what to do or how to stand up for themselves. When the week ended, the 12 participants were sent to various unions to get a first hand experience of how and why the labour movement does what it is doing.
I was given a placement at the PSAC regional office in Vancouver. I arrived with no idea what I was to be doing or who I was working with, just a name on a card that I was supposed to report to. When I first arrived introductions were made and I was instructed on what I would be doing. Calling the list of youth caucus members to get their opinions on problems facing young workers and their willingness to get involved, I also called the area council members list and got their opinions. The support overall was amazing and really made me feel much closer with the people I was speaking with.
The first week also included a visit to the border to help deal with a grievance that had been filed. I was impressed by the speed at which the information was given and how efficiently the relevant issues were addressed. I’ve never worked in a place where the Managerial staff was genuinely concerned over the well-being of their employees; the executive steward at the border was amazing. He wanted to make sure that he had the most knowledge about what he could do for the Grievor, he asked about multiple outcomes and what could be done in case of any of them.
The next week was filed with field trips to go and speak to various groups of youth, and with intensive planning for a youth activity for this summer. In all I feel that my experience with the PSAC has been rewarding and life-changing and I will endeavour to make sure that I continue spreading the truths that I have learned.
Jamey Mills, PSAC BC Regional Council Youth Coordinator:
During the past two weeks I have had the pleasure of working with the staff at the PSAC Vancouver Regional Office. Having only had sparse contact with them before it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them all not just professionally but personally. It didn’t take long for me to understand and respect where the labour movement of today has come from when you hear first hand the hard work and dedication put in by our staff members. It impressed me even more to see how cohesive such a diverse group of individuals can work together.
I was also granted the opportunity to work closely with my alternate, Amy Painter, and a Solidarity Works student placement, Mike Pleasure. It was two weeks full of new experiences for us all. We got to: support the UFCW 1518 strike by talking with members on their information line and sing Union Songs with Regina and Earl, go to worksites to discuss ongoing grievances, do worksite tours to garner support for the Youth Caucus with Monica at the airport (yes, we did 5 public speaking engagements within 2 hours, I think my fear of public speaking is subsiding), we also called members from throughout the region to raise awareness of the Youth Caucus and get members involved, additionally we have created an action plan to have a summer event focused on youth and a conference/training session in the early fall with our focus on proposing a Youth Committee to the Regional Council at their next meeting.
Prior to my time working with all these wonderful people I felt unsure of my place in the labour movement. I now feel that through the guidance, support and experience of my Brothers and Sisters (or Comrades as Amy prefers) I know I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to.